Hi Michael:
I read the article again. Several points struck me. First, they based their study on the Rauscher and Shaw "trion" theory of the Mozart Effect. Gordon Shaw was a physicist and knew nothing about sensory/brain physiology. The trion theory asserts at bottom that the music is activating neuronal circuits through sympathetic vibration. So the current study does not supply an explanation of how the effect occurs that is consistent with modern physiology. Second, the current study does not explain why the effect occurs with the Mozart sonata and not the Beethoven piece. The theory of what is special about that Mozart Sonata has not been advanced at all. (Oddly, they make no prediction about whether the effect should or should not occur with the Beethoven work.) Third, you are correct that no change in cognitive skills or performance were measured. Only EEG measures were taken. All in all, the work supplies nothing new to key questions about the effect. Ken -- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kenneth M. Steele, Ph.D. [email protected] Professor Department of Psychology http://www.psych.appstate.edu Appalachian State University Boone, NC 28608 USA --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- On 7/13/2015 8:42 AM, Michael Britt wrote: > > > Ken, > > I’d like to mention this resurfacing of the “Mozart Effect” in my > podcast since you and I talked about this some years ago: > > http://www.thepsychfiles.com/2008/06/episode-59-the-mozart-effect-is-there-anything-to-it/ > > The title and subtitle that summarizes the new research state: > “Listening to Mozart can give your brain a boost, according to a new > study. People who heard the classical composer's music showed an > increase in brain wave activity linked to memory, understanding and > problem-solving, researchers found." > > The key finding from the abstract of the study states, “After > listening to Mozart, an increase of alpha band and median frequency > index of background alpha rhythm activity (a pattern of brain wave > activity linked to memory, cognition and open mind to problem solving) > was observed both in Adults and in Elderly. No changes were observed > in MCI (Mild Cognitive Impairment). After listening to Beethoven, no > changes in EEG activity were detected. This results may be > representative of the fact that said Mozart’s music is able to > “activate” neuronal cortical circuits related to attentive and > cognitive functions.” > > > So how do we more accurately present the findings to the public? Is > the key point that “a pattern of brain wave activity” that is “linked > to memory and cognition” does not equal “giving a boost to”. And > another point is that all this study did was look at differences in > brain wave activity in response to different types of music. They did > not take any kind of measure of the subjects’ ability to remember > anything. > > Apparently we have to play “whack a mole” with the “Mozart Effect” > every few years. Looks like it’s time for another whack. > > Michael > > Michael A. Britt, Ph.D. > [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > http://www.ThePsychFiles.com > Twitter: @mbritt > > > >> On Jun 5, 2015, at 2:06 PM, Ken Steele <[email protected] >> <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: >> >> http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3112339/How-listening-Mozart-boost-memory-Classical-composer-s-music-linked-increase-brain-wave-activity-beats-Beethoven.html >> >> Exact same music and hand-waving explanation as reported in Rauscher, >> Shaw, & Ky (1993). >> >> Ken >> >> -- >> --------------------------------------------------------------- >> Kenneth M. Steele, Ph.D. [email protected] >> Professor >> Department of Psychology http://www.psych.appstate.edu >> Appalachian State University >> Boone, NC 28608 >> USA >> --------------------------------------------------------------- >> >> > > --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5&n=T&l=tips&o=45892 or send a blank email to leave-45892-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
