Classical Music and Cognitive Development
Classical Music and Cognitive Development
Maria Tuttle
PSYCH/500
April 8, 2013
Jody Pendleton, PsyD
Classical Music and Cognitive Development
There are multiple claims on the effects of music can on cognitive development, specifically classical music. Though not all of the most intellectual people had exposure or enjoy classical music, there have been claims that classical music can have positive effects on cognitive and neural development. The statement that classical music can enhance cognitive development has not been proven one way or another, but studies have been done to investigate this claim. The studies can be researched to evaluate the validity and reliability of each claim. In the following pages, an assessment will be made of negative and positive findings on the effects of classical music on cognitive development and whether or not ethically they should be endorsed.
According to authors Strait and Kraus, there is an association with music learning and rhythmic tune and child literacy and cognitive development. They state, “The connection between rhythm and reading abilities may reflect the fundamental importance of rhythm for both music and language production and perception”, this sentence backs up the claim that music can enhance cognitive development, although not necessarily that of the classic genre (p.140). They continue on to make statements of how music can help detect reading deficits rather than cause them, mentioning how children with offbeat and slow rhythms are connected to reading impairments like dyslexia. The conclusion of their findings was that because of the nature of mechanisms used in brain processing in reading and speech processing that are common to music as well, “… music may be useful for promoting the development and maintenance of auditory skills and for improving the efficacy of remedial attempts for individuals with auditory impairments” (Strait & Kraus, 2010). This particular
Maria Tuttle
PSYCH/500
April 8, 2013
Jody Pendleton, PsyD
Classical Music and Cognitive Development
There are multiple claims on the effects of music can on cognitive development, specifically classical music. Though not all of the most intellectual people had exposure or enjoy classical music, there have been claims that classical music can have positive effects on cognitive and neural development. The statement that classical music can enhance cognitive development has not been proven one way or another, but studies have been done to investigate this claim. The studies can be researched to evaluate the validity and reliability of each claim. In the following pages, an assessment will be made of negative and positive findings on the effects of classical music on cognitive development and whether or not ethically they should be endorsed.
According to authors Strait and Kraus, there is an association with music learning and rhythmic tune and child literacy and cognitive development. They state, “The connection between rhythm and reading abilities may reflect the fundamental importance of rhythm for both music and language production and perception”, this sentence backs up the claim that music can enhance cognitive development, although not necessarily that of the classic genre (p.140). They continue on to make statements of how music can help detect reading deficits rather than cause them, mentioning how children with offbeat and slow rhythms are connected to reading impairments like dyslexia. The conclusion of their findings was that because of the nature of mechanisms used in brain processing in reading and speech processing that are common to music as well, “… music may be useful for promoting the development and maintenance of auditory skills and for improving the efficacy of remedial attempts for individuals with auditory impairments” (Strait & Kraus, 2010). This particular
References: American Psychological Association, Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct. (2010, June). Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/ethics/code/index.aspx Costa-Giomi, E. (1999). The effects of three years of piano instruction on children 's cognitive development. Journal of Research in Music Education , 47(3), 198-212. doi: 10.2307/3345779 Črnčec, R., Wilson, S. J., & Prior, M. (2006). No evidence for the mozart effect in children. Music Perception: An Interdisciplinary Journal, 23(4), 305-318. Retrieved from: JSTOR Strait, D., & Kraus, N. (2011). Playing music for a smarter ear: Cognitive, perceptual and neurobiological evidence. Music Perception: An Interdisciplinary Journal, 29(2), 133-146. doi: 10.1525/mp.2011.29.2.133