Animal Signals, Music and Emotional Well-Being.

Abstract

Simple SummaryAnimal signals can convey information about the animal’s state, but these signals can also be used to influence the behavior of others through emotional contagion. Music can influence the emotional state of human listeners and has also been used therapeutically with a variety of captive species including pets. However, the successful use of music to influence the well-being of animals must be based on an understanding of the natural communication signals of the species including the frequency range and tempos of its own communication signals. Furthermore, different types of music can induce different emotional states. In this paper, I review work using music to influence animal emotion, physiology and behavior, and I outline a theory of emotional induction that predicts what types of music stimuli are likely to influence different emotions and behavior. I will illustrate this with some examples of animal-based music. The use of music to influence the emotional well-being of our pets, farm animals and in zoological parks depends on our understanding the communication system of other species and the variety of emotional states that can be induced through different types of music. My goal is to help those managing animal facilities or advising pet owners to be more aware of the issues involved in using music with animals, as well as provide advice to researchers investigating effects of music on animals.Playing music or natural sounds to animals in human care is thought to have beneficial effects. An analysis of published papers on the use of human-based music with animals demonstrates a variety of different results even within the same species. These mixed results suggest the value of tailoring music to the sensory systems of the species involved and in selecting musical structures that are likely to produce the desired effects. I provide a conceptual framework based on the combined knowledge of the natural communication system of a species coupled with musical structures known to differentially influence emotional states, e.g., calming an agitated animal versus stimulating a lethargic animal. This new concept of animal-based music, which is based on understanding animal communication, will lead to more consistent and specific effects of music. Knowledge and appropriate use of animal-based music are important in future research and applications if we are to improve the well-being of animals that are dependent upon human care for their survival.