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The Mozart effect: how music affects the brain and whether it helps develop intelligence
  • Music has always been something more than entertainment. Even the ancients talked about the influence of sounds on the body and human behavior, and today some directions are used to fight for social justice. Modern science is also interested in music: scientists are conducting experiments to find out how it affects the brain and how it can benefit us. Essay Map tells us why music lessons are good for everyone and whether you can improve your IQ by listening to the classics.

    Listen and get smarter: Does the "Mozart effect" work?

    The notion that listening to music, especially classical music, is beneficial to the intellect is widespread. Many argue about details, such as whether Mozart's piano concertos or his violin works are more useful, but in general the ability of classical music to make us smarter is rarely disputed.

    The concept of the "Mozart effect" emerged in the early 1990s. In 1993, scientists from the University of California reported the results of their experiment: the volunteers, who played the works of the great composer, did better in tests of spatial reasoning. The authors of the work did not give this phenomenon loud names. The "Mozart effect" was talked about when the new hypothesis became popular outside of the scientific community and gave rise to many generalizations.

    For example, the media often wrote that the classics have a positive effect on intelligence in general, especially in children. It was believed that the masterpieces of the golden age of music not only improve certain skills, but also raise the IQ. Gradually an entire industry grew up around the supposed effect. The word Mozart effect itself is registered as a trademark, and many music compilations are sold under it. According to their creators, these compilations solve a number of problems: help focus, improve memory, and children develop speech, spatial thinking and emotional intelligence. It sounds tempting, but can we trust these promises?

    Let's just say that there's no way to permanently improve IQ with piano recitals. But how do you explain the fact that in the first minutes after listening, a person performs better? Essay Map suggested that it's because of Mozart's compositional gift and the complexity of his music: perhaps the intricate intertwining of melodic lines somehow stimulates thinking and makes us more creative. But today's researchers believe it's much simpler than that.

    Music improves mood, invigorates, and this burst of energy is just enough to solve a small test.

    This is confirmed by several experiments. For example, Canadian psychologist Glenn Schellenberg, for the sake of science, recalled his youth and experience playing in a synth-pop band. He took the same Mozart sonata as the authors of the 1993 study and recorded several new versions of it - in fast and slow tempo, in major and minor. Pitch and tempo proved to be really important. In the same test of spatial thinking, those who listened to a fast major version, scored an average of 16 points, and those who got a slow minor, only 8. In another experiment, colleagues confirmed that sad music reduces test scores. The effect of the Mozart sonata was compared with the effect of the famous Adagio Albinoni, and it turned out that, although this piece can not be called simple, it did not help to solve problems better.

    So, it's not so much melodies that make us smarter, but rather a good mood. This is indicated by another experience of the same scientists. This time, one group of volunteers played Mozart, and another - an audiobook by Stephen King. It turned out that the King of horror stories are also not bad increases the results of tests, especially for fans of the author.

    So if you want to listen to music for the benefit of themselves, choose any, as long as she liked it, and the positive effect - a good mood - will not be long in coming.

    Play as well as you can: how music helps you develop

    Does this mean that the wave of interest in the "Mozart effect" did not bring anything good? Not at all. The discussions around this issue have helped those who thought the classics were boring or overly complicated to become interested in them and hear familiar tunes in a new way. But, more importantly, the conversations about the benefits of classical music have led many parents to consider giving their children at least a rudimentary musical education. Music lessons are not required everywhere, and for good reason: in their effectiveness science is not in doubt.

    Many scientists believe that music lessons, which include singing and playing instruments and other forms of education, also help to develop many skills that are not directly necessary for the extraction of sound. For example, medical school researchers have noticed a link between education and successful performance.

    Fifty-nine 10-year-olds participated in their experiment, two-thirds of whom had been learning to play keyboard or string instruments for at least three years. As expected, those who had studied music did better on tests of fine motor skills and pitch difference recognition. But in addition, they outperformed their non-musical peers in other tasks as well. The young pianists and violinists had, on average, a higher vocabulary, and the results of the visual-imagery tests were higher.

    How do music lessons develop these abilities? There are several theories. First, playing an instrument is a complex process that requires many skills. For example, having to read notes trains the ability to decode any texts, so it becomes easier to build up a rich vocabulary. On the other hand, parents who send their children to music may be more involved in their parenting overall. They may be more involved not only in making sure that the child is practicing regularly, but also in doing school homework or reading. Here, of course, it is important not to overdo it: lessons from under the stick have not made anyone happy yet.

    Another important point is motivation. Scientists have worked with children who have not abandoned the piano or violin for at least three years. Probably, their general level of motivation to study is also high, they do not refuse difficult tasks at the first difficulties, hence the success.

    Researchers have been conducting a similar study for 5 years. They are observing almost 70 children from poor families living in the suburbs of Los Angeles. One-third of the participants were observed playing in a youth orchestra, and from time to time all the children were examined with MRI scans. Researchers found that after two years, the brain structures of "musicians" and "non-musicians" differed. The children who played in the orchestra had more actively developed areas related to sound processing.

    Their brains worked differently in situations not related to music as well. The children were offered to perform the Stroop test: they were shown cards with names of colors and shades, but the color of the inscription and the name of the color did not coincide. It turned out that orchestrators had higher neural activity when performing the task. However, it can be not only in music: a similar effect was observed in children who were actively engaged in sports. Probably, it is not so much the music that contributes to brain development as the presence of a hobby and the motivation associated with it, the involvement in the work of the team.

    Not just children: how does music help adults?

    So, those who played the violin since childhood, sang in the choir or recorded rap with classmates, are very lucky. But does that mean all is lost for adults? Of course not. A passion for music not only makes adult life brighter, but also protects the brain from the inevitable age-related changes.

    Playing or singing is healthier than just listening. Scientists have found that those who have ever played a musical instrument in their lives are, on average, less likely to develop dementia.

    Why this is the case, scientists don't know yet. Perhaps practicing music pumps many skills at once - this is sometimes explained and its benefits for children. There is another version: the music enhances the ability of the brain to compensate for gaps in some areas with other areas.

    The authors of EssayMap came to similar conclusions. They performed custom research paper writing service, they confirmed: practicing music does help maintain mental clarity in adulthood and old age. They improve attention, reasoning ability and speed of information processing. But in adults, alas, this effect does not accumulate - when a person stops playing or singing, all the bonuses quickly fade away.

    Another area where music is indispensable is the prevention of insomnia and other problems with sleep. Listening to music in the evenings really soothes and helps you fall asleep more easily, and this effect accumulates. What kind of music is better to listen to before going to bed? Here scientists differ in opinion. Some believe that only songs in a slow tempo are effective.

    However, judging by the survey, which held EssayMap, falls asleep helps a variety of music. Bach was mentioned most often, and in second place was Ed Sheeran, ahead of Mozart. The main thing is that the song does not evoke vivid memories: listening to "your song" before going to sleep shortly after a breakup - clearly not the best choice.

    This is not all the arguments that speak of the benefits of music at any age. Throughout the millennia, the main thing hasn't changed: rhythm and melody still have the power to affect us. Listen, play and sing the songs you like, because it's one of the most enjoyable ways to take care of yourself in the future.

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