2008 Woodie Awards
'Mozart effect' useful during study times
Issue date: 11/9/05 Section: News
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Jenna Shelton
Staff Writer
Recent research in neuroscience has brought about the theory that classical music stimulates brain productivity for college students when studying. This theory is labeled the "Mozart effect" and may improve memory and learning.
The Mozart effect first came into view in 1993 when Fran Rauscher, a neuroscientist at the University of Wisconsin, and colleagues showed that college students who listened to Mozart's "Sonata for Two Pianos in D minor" for 10 minutes performed better on a spatial reasoning test than the students who listened to new age music or nothing at all, according to a newscientist.com article.
"Classical music could help students when doing their homework, however, I don't listen to music when I study or work," said Zach Marcengill, sophomore Christian studies.
"Music in general makes me want to pick up my guitar and play," said Marcengill.
"Classical music puts me in a solemn mood and my mind is open to what is right in front of me," said Daniel Spearman, sophomore theater.
Bill McManus, school counselor, said that he could see the effects of classical music being played while he was walking through a psychiatric ward.
"I could see the calming effect on the mentally disabled," said McManus.
On the other hand, McManus has seen the opposite effect on people listening to rock music.
"Other types of music are disruptive and imposing, and don't appeal to the softer side of human nature," said McManus.
Music is an abstract symbolic system similar to language. In other words, investigating how the brain processes music can provide insight into the language area of the brain, according to Marie T. Banich in "Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuropsychology."
PET studies of brain activation during the performance of musical tasks suggest that with regard to reading, different brain regions are used for language as compared to music.
"I believe that classical music stimulates brain productivity, and I know of a company that uses music to do just that, said Callie Holden, junior broadcast media.
"Muzak is a company that uses music in restaurants to stimulate people's senses and heighten brain activity," Callie said.
McManus said that he recommends the "Mozart effect" for college students.
"In our generation, students feel that sound must be going on while working. If they are going to be inundated with sound, by all means let it be music that has been proven to enhance one's concentration," said McManus.
Staff Writer
Recent research in neuroscience has brought about the theory that classical music stimulates brain productivity for college students when studying. This theory is labeled the "Mozart effect" and may improve memory and learning.
The Mozart effect first came into view in 1993 when Fran Rauscher, a neuroscientist at the University of Wisconsin, and colleagues showed that college students who listened to Mozart's "Sonata for Two Pianos in D minor" for 10 minutes performed better on a spatial reasoning test than the students who listened to new age music or nothing at all, according to a newscientist.com article.
"Classical music could help students when doing their homework, however, I don't listen to music when I study or work," said Zach Marcengill, sophomore Christian studies.
"Music in general makes me want to pick up my guitar and play," said Marcengill.
"Classical music puts me in a solemn mood and my mind is open to what is right in front of me," said Daniel Spearman, sophomore theater.
Bill McManus, school counselor, said that he could see the effects of classical music being played while he was walking through a psychiatric ward.
"I could see the calming effect on the mentally disabled," said McManus.
On the other hand, McManus has seen the opposite effect on people listening to rock music.
"Other types of music are disruptive and imposing, and don't appeal to the softer side of human nature," said McManus.
Music is an abstract symbolic system similar to language. In other words, investigating how the brain processes music can provide insight into the language area of the brain, according to Marie T. Banich in "Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuropsychology."
PET studies of brain activation during the performance of musical tasks suggest that with regard to reading, different brain regions are used for language as compared to music.
"I believe that classical music stimulates brain productivity, and I know of a company that uses music to do just that, said Callie Holden, junior broadcast media.
"Muzak is a company that uses music in restaurants to stimulate people's senses and heighten brain activity," Callie said.
McManus said that he recommends the "Mozart effect" for college students.
"In our generation, students feel that sound must be going on while working. If they are going to be inundated with sound, by all means let it be music that has been proven to enhance one's concentration," said McManus.