Discordant views on the ‘Mozart effect’

Abstract

Research reported by Rauscher et al. in 1993 suggested that listening to music by Mozart improved performance on an intelligence test1xMusic and spatial task performance. Rauscher, F.H., Shaw, G.L., and Ky, K.N. Nature. 1993; 365: 611Crossref | PubMedSee all References. That is, after listening to Mozart’s Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major, K. 448 for 10 minutes, university undergraduates demonstrated a temporary increase of 9 IQ points on a spatial subtest of the Stanford–Binet Intelligence Test). The research was motivated by a theory of higher-level brain function which proposed that exposure to complex music could activate or prime neural firing patterns similar to those used in spatial–temporal reasoning. This surprising result became known as the ‘Mozart effect’.However, two recent studies suggest that the Mozart effect falls flat. In a meta-analysis of 17 studies, Chabris2xPrelude or requiem for the ‘Mozart effect’?. Chabris, C.F. Nature. 1999; 400: 826–827Crossref | PubMed | Scopus (119)See all References showed that the effect was less than would have arisen by chance, though it may exert a small positive effect on some ‘spatial’ tasks, such as the Paper Folding and Cutting subtest used in the original study. In the same issue as Chabris’ report, there is combined report from three independent research groups who each tried, without success, to replicate the Mozart effect under comparable conditions3xPrelude or requiem for the ‘Mozart effect’?. Steele, K.M. et al. Nature. 1999; 400: 827Crossref | PubMedSee all References. In none of the studies was there any statistically reliable evidence for the Mozart effect; that is, subjects performed as well on spatial-reasoning tasks whether they listened to Mozart, silence, minimalist music, ‘relaxation’ music or had relaxation instructions.In a reply to these reports, though, Rauscher addresses some misconceptions that she suggests have surrounded attempts to replicate the Mozart effect, and acknowledges that the original effect cannot be found under all laboratory conditions4xPrelude or requiem for the ‘Mozart effect’? Reply. Rauscher, F.H. Nature. 1999; 400: 827–828Crossref | PubMedSee all References. She also points to other studies that have found a Mozart effect for spatial-reasoning tasks, and one in which an effect was found in the EEG of comatose epileptic patients. Although the recent results reported by Chabris and by Steele et al. suggest that a requiem for the Mozart effect may be in order, it appears that the final movement has not yet been written…