music
Music is a fundamental part of human culture, experienced daily by people across the globe to evoke emotions and memories. A recent study published in Cerebral Cortex has now provided new insights into how our brains process music we know well compared to tunes that are new to us. Using advanced brain imaging techniques, researchers have found that familiar and unfamiliar music engage different memory systems in our brains, shedding light on the neurobiological processes underlying our musical experiences. “Music is a cross-cultural and cross-racial medium for emotional expression and transmis...
PsyPost
A neuroimaging study of guitarists found increased activity in the Brodmann area 45 of the brain while they were improvising blues rock sequences. This area is located in the inferior frontal gyrus area of the frontal cortex and is a part of the wider Broca’s area. The research was published in BMC Research Notes. Creativity is the ability to generate new, original, and valuable ideas or solutions. It involves complex cognitive processes, including divergent thinking, which is the ability to think about many different ideas at once and explore multiple possible solutions. Creatively gifted ind...
PsyPost
Recent research published in Scientific Reports explores how English lyrics in popular Western music have evolved over the last fifty years across five major genres. The study reveals that popular music lyrics have simplified in both structure and vocabulary. Furthermore, songs have grown more personal and emotionally negative over time. Previous research has highlighted how musical lyrics can influence emotions, foster social connections, and even shape cultural identities. These studies have shown that lyrics can act as a barometer for societal mood, reflecting changes in attitudes, values, ...
PsyPost
Why does music that evokes feelings of sorrow and melancholy continue to attract listeners worldwide? This enigma forms the basis of a recent scientific study published in the journal PLOS ONE, which suggests that the sadness itself, contrary to previous beliefs, might be a source of enjoyment for listeners. The research challenges the long-held view that the pleasure derived from sad music is only due to indirect effects. The allure of sad music has long been a puzzle in both psychological and musicological research. “The topic is interesting because enjoyment of negative emotion seems so psy...
PsyPost
Learning new skills involves intricate brain processes that scientists are still working to fully understand. A recent study published in the journal Brain Sciences examines how older adults learn motor sequences—such as playing a musical instrument—and how their cognitive and motor abilities support this learning over time. The research provides insights into the connections between mental and physical capabilities and their roles in learning new tasks. Previous studies have established that motor learning is not a one-size-fits-all process. Different types of motor learning—like learning to ...
PsyPost
In a groundbreaking study published in Current Biology, researchers have revealed an unexpected insight into the genetic makeup of Ludwig van Beethoven, one of history’s most venerated composers. Despite his profound influence on the world of music, Beethoven appears to have had a relatively low genetic predisposition for beat synchronization, a trait closely linked to musicality. The inspiration behind this research lies in a fundamental question that has intrigued scientists for centuries: To what extent are exceptional human achievements, such as Beethoven’s unparalleled musical genius, inf...
PsyPost
A comprehensive study spearheaded by researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics provides evidence that people tend to show a predisposition towards rhythms formed by simple integer ratios regardless of cultural background. Despite these universal tendencies, the study revealed significant variations in rhythm preferences across different societies, illuminating the nuanced factors that shape musical cognition. The findings were published in Nature Human Behaviour. The pursuit of this research stems from a curiosity about the...
PsyPost
Imagine listening to a powerful piece of music, witnessing an awe-inspiring piece of art, or being moved by a profound speech. Suddenly, you feel a shiver, goosebumps, or a chilling sensation down your spine—a phenomenon known as “aesthetic chills.” A new study published in PNAS Nexus has shed light on this response, revealing that a mix of age, gender, emotional state, personality traits, and cultural exposure can predict with 73.5% accuracy when someone will experience these chills. The discovery opens new doors to understanding our emotional reactions and potentially harnessing these peak e...
PsyPost
Have you ever found yourself tapping your foot or nodding your head to the rhythm of a catchy tune, seemingly without any effort? It turns out, there’s a scientific explanation behind our instinctual desire to move along with music. A recent study published in Science Advances sheds light on why certain rhythms make us want to dance more than others. By analyzing brain activity and the sensation known as ‘groove,’ researchers discovered that a rhythm of moderate complexity triggers the highest desire to move. This desire is mirrored in our brains, particularly within the left sensorimotor cort...
PsyPost
A study conducted on young Italians found that the connection between working memory and divergent thinking is influenced by whether an individual has undergone formal musical training. This relationship proved to be stronger among individuals who have had more extensive formal musical education. The paper was published in Brain Sciences. Divergent thinking is a cognitive process that involves generating multiple, diverse solutions to a problem or question, often characterized by its open-ended and spontaneous nature. It is a key component of creativity, as it allows individuals to explore a w...
PsyPost
閲覧を続けるには、ノアドット株式会社が「プライバシーポリシー」に定める「アクセスデータ」を取得することを含む「nor.利用規約」に同意する必要があります。
「これは何?」という方はこちら