Listening to Mozart enhances spatial-temporal reasoning: towards a neurophysiological basis

Author(s): Shaw, G. L., Ky, K. N.

Journal/Book: Neurosci Lett. 1995; 185: 44-7.

Abstract: Motivated by predictions of a structured neuronal model of the cortex, we performed a behavioral experiment which showed that listening to a Mozart piano sonata produced significant short-term enhancement of spatial-temporal reasoning in college students. Here we present results from an experiment which replicates these findings, and shows that (i) 'repetitive' music does not enhance reasoning; (ii) a taped short story does not enhance reasoning; and (iii) short-term memory is not enhanced. We propose experiments designed to explore the neurophysiological bases of this causal enhancement of spatial-temporal reasoning by music, and begin to search for quantitative measures of further higher cognitive effects of music.

Keyword(s): Adolescence ; Adult ; Cerebral Cortex physiology; Models, Neurological; Motivation ; Music Cognition ; Neurophysiology ; Spatial Behavior physiology Human; Support, Non U.S. Gov't

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