Music has a strong influence not only on our health, but also on mood and behavior. However, it is important to understand the difference between the emotional response that music evokes and the mood that it conveys. For example, a sad melody by its sound alone is not capable of making a person feel sad. Similarly, a cheerful melody does not always lead to joy, since each person may have their own, even negative, associations with a particular song.
The influence of music on a person's physical condition
Research on the influence of music on a person began in the XIX century and continues to this day. Russian scientists Ivan Dogel and Ivan Tarkhanov made a special contribution to the development of this field.
Dogel determined that music affects blood pressure, pulse and respiratory rate. Tarkhanov, with the help of his research, proved that joyful melodies improve heart rhythms, contribute to the normalization of blood pressure, and annoying music has the opposite effect.
In 2003, music therapy was recognized by the Ministry of Health as an official method of treatment in Russia. Music therapy and music rehabilitation departments have been established at the Gnessin Music Academy and the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, which produce doctors who "heal" music. For example, it is used for people suffering from mild to moderate dementia.
The results of the Finnish scientists showedthat music therapy improves memory and mood in patients. Music also helps autistic children improve communication skills, improve your receptivity and fine motor skills. Music therapy has also shown its effectiveness for patients on rehabilitation. With the help of well-chosen melodies, it is easier for them to return to the usual rhythm of life.
The influence of musical styles on the psyche
A source: avatars.mds.yandex.net
At the moment there are a huge number of directions of music. They differ in rhythm, harmony, tempo, and so on.
European scientists have proved that pop music negatively affects concentration and memory due to a monotonous rhythm. They officially recognized modern pop music as too primitive, loud and monotonous - I came to this conclusion group of scientists of the National Research Council of Spain, studied a large array of songs recorded from 1955 to 2010 in the Internet music archive called Million Song Dataset.
With the help of complex algorithms, they studied typical samples of popular music over the past half century and came to the conclusion that over time the compositions became louder and simpler in terms of chord construction and melody. Of course, the degradation of personality will not happen in one listening session, it happens for a long time.
Jazz is a unique and distinctive style. According to Dr. Robert Zatorr of the Montreal Neurological Institute, jazz is a natural and comfortable component of everyday human activity, but at the same time it is one of the most complex and requires deep analysis for the brain music. In other words, thanks to the complex trends in jazz, especially such as avant-garde, mainstream, bebop and hard bop, our brain works several times more actively to understand changes in musical harmony, instrumental solo improvisations. In the melodies of this style, you can completely dissolve only if they are close to the listener. Otherwise, you will get the opposite effect. Candidate of Cultural Sciences Konstantin Ushakov has created an entire dissertation, in which a significant part is devoted to the direct influence and evolution of jazz and, accordingly, the change in people's cultural thinking.
The scientist discusses jazz in detail from the time of its formation to the present day, at the same time analyzing every turning point in history. Jazz in its influence is able to combine several aspects at once that improve a person's mental abilities: learning ability, reaction speed, innovative approach and the development of logical thinking.
What about rock? Scientists' research on the effects of music on various objects even includes experiments with eggs and fish. David Elkin from the USA conducted an experiment, during which he found out that the eggs die after three hours of listening to heavy music. He also noticed that the fish loses activity and becomes weaker after the same period of listening to rock. Swiss scientist Hans Yenni and Japanese scientist Emoto Masaru investigated the influence of rock on the structure of water. In their experiment, water molecules exposed to the sounds of rock formed ugly and shapeless structures resembling torn flaps of fabric. According to these studies, it can be understood that rock music does not have a completely positive effect on the human psyche.
And how does classical music affect the psyche?
A source: udoba.org
Classical music by many indicators is ideal for the human psyche. Journal Learning and Individual Differences reports on a study in which students were divided into two groups with equal indicators of age, health and academic performance (average score). Participants from the first group attended a lecture with classical music playing in the background, and the subjects from the second selection listened to the same material in silence. After the lectures, the students of both groups solved the same test. It turned out that the volunteers who studied to classical music received more points for correct answers compared to those who listened to the lecture without accompaniment. This is due to the fact that classical music has certain features that have a beneficial effect on the human psyche. It has a harmonious sound range, rhythmic structure and a variety of musical instruments. These elements are able to create a certain atmosphere and cause emotional reactions in the listener.
Classical music, especially the works of W. A. Mozart, is known for its high intellectual and creative qualities. The term “Mozart Effect“ was first used by Alfred Tomatis in 1991, when he published his book "L'oreille et la vie" (“Ear and Life”). He suggested that Mozart's music, especially his composition “Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major”, can stimulate and activate brain activity in infants and children. True, Tomatis was neither a neurologist nor a neuropsychologist, and it is not a fact that he conducted serious research on children. But the Mozart effect was not seriously discussed after Tomatis' work, but after research by a group of American psychologists from the University of California, who showed that listening to Mozart's music for 10 minutes before performing the test helps to improve the temporal ability of thinking and spatial thinking in some people. This is what is called the "Mozart effect". However, these results were quite ogre
"Listening to classics is far from a super tool for brain development. The intellectual uplift after listening to the classics lasts no longer than 15 minutes"
— said Victoria Williamson, a psychologist at the University of Sheffield
Что говорит статистика?
A source: salid.ru
Everyone has their own unique tastes and preferences. Music that we like can cause us positive emotions, improve our mood and even affect our mental state. According to statisticsbased on a social survey among students, most believe that music really affects a person's mental state. Slightly more than half of the respondents noted that music helps them to get away from problems and relax. It turned out that only a small part of students listen to classical music. This suggests that students are unaware of the positive properties of classical music.
It is also important to note that some people may be more susceptible to the emotional impact of music. For example, music with minor melodies can make some people sad, while others can enjoy its beauty without feeling negative emotions. Ultimately, the influence of music on our mental state depends on ourselves and our personal approach to music. Music can be a powerful tool for self-expression, enjoyment and relaxation, so it is important to choose and listen to the music that really speaks to us and brings joy.
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