I use different musical selections to introduce each chapter in the Intro Psych text so I went looking for some Mozart to introduce the chapter on Intelligence and I found more than I could have ever expected. The one I chose, and that I will be using in class today, is called "Baby's First Piano Music" published by those enterprising Canadiens at St. Clair Entertainment Group of St-Laurent, Quebec under their "Music for the Developing Mind" imprint. This label appears on the back: "'Conclusive studies have clearly demonstrated that music is an integral ingredient to the mental development of infants. Music enhances cognitive and deductive skills and enriches the mind.' Dr. Susanne Hall - Pediatrician". As if that weren't praise enough, the next line, in boldface, says, "Bring out the genius in your child!" Rick Dr. Richard L. Froman Psychology Department John Brown University Siloam Springs, AR 72761 e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.jbu.edu/sbs/psych/froman.htm -----Original Message----- From: Stephen Black [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Sunday, October 15, 2000 10:47 PM To: TIPS Subject: Mozart effect: applied psychology in action On Sun, 15 Oct 2000, G. Marc Turner wrote: > One of the articles that I've enjoyed using the past few semesters is the > one on the Mozart effect by Ken Steele (a fellow tipster). Of course the > full reference escapes me at the moment. I want to say it was in > Psychological Science, but my copy of it is in my office. I'll send the > reference tomorrow if I someone doesn't post it before me. And speaking of the Mozart effect, there I was watching The Practice (US TV drama) tonight when a commercial for the Fisher-Price toy company came on. They had this nifty new toy for babies they were flogging: you press the keys, and out comes Mozart. To their credit, F-P didn't claim any special developmental advantage for their toy (maybe they were worried that Eleanor and Lindsay would sue them the way they were suing the EPA on the programme). But I bet they're betting that parents will make the connection. If I were Mozart effect watchdog Ken Steele, I'd want to check this device out. OK, just checked the web. Here's what they're saying: Stimulate your baby with music, sparkling sounds and dancing lights then convert it to yours [sic] toddler's first piano. Five classical selections by Mozart, Beethoven and others, along with five traditional children's songs. Soft, twinkling lights fascinate your baby as they "dance" to the music. Sparkling star, sun and moon stimulate early visual skills and encourages baby to reach and bat. Offers two gym modes: 1. long play - set approximately 10 minutes of music. 2. short play - set for one song. Convert the gym into a piano for your toddler. Offers two piano modes: 1. press keys to hear piano notes 2. press keys to play a musical melody. For ages 0 Months - 3 Years. -Stephen ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Stephen Black, Ph.D. tel: (819) 822-9600 ext 2470 Department of Psychology fax: (819) 822-9661 Bishop's University e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Lennoxville, QC J1M 1Z7 Canada Department web page at http://www.ubishops.ca/ccc/div/soc/psy Check out TIPS listserv for teachers of psychology at: http://www.frostburg.edu/dept/psyc/southerly/tips/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------
