Transcript The Mozart Effect - Dakota State University

The Mozart Effect
Definition of the Mozart Effect
A study done in
1993 in California
appeared to show
that college
students who
listened to Mozart
for ten minutes a
day improved their
ability at spatial
reasoning (“The
Mozart Effect”).
After the Study
Quickly, the idea of listening to Mozart
was transformed from helping college
students with spatial reasoning to
helping babies and children become
more intelligent.
Stanford researchers think they know
why everyone leaped to these
conclusions (Skapinker).
Infant Determinism
Science has shown that some things
can have a permanent effect on a
child.
Infant determinism is “the idea that a
critical period early in development
has irreversible consequences for the
rest of a child's life“ (qtd. in
Skapinker).
Why did everyone like the idea of
the Mozart Effect?
Parents who worried about their
children’s IQ jumped on the idea that
something this inexpensive would be
able to help their children improve
their intelligence (Skapinker).
Who else wanted to believe?
Schools with poor
teacher pay and poor
performing students
also wanted to believe
that classical music
would help.
Classical CDs are
inexpensive and it’s
easy to play them
(Skapinker).
State governments bought the idea
Two states, Georgia and Florida,
promoted classical music CDs in
schools and day care operations
(Skapinker).
Marketing the Mozart Effect
After the 1993 study, books, and compilation CDs
appeared on the market.
One was “The Mozart Effect: Music for
Children, compiled by Don Campbell and
published by The Children's Group Inc,
a collection of three compact discs
intended to ‘increase verbal, emotional and
spatial intelligence, improve concentration
and memory, inspire right-brain creative
thinking processes, strengthen intuitive
thinking skills, induce relaxation, improve
body movement and coordination, and
enhance mood, motivation and pacing’ in
children ages 2 through 16” (Beynon).
Others marketing the idea
Another was Brenda Adderly who
writes about alternative therapy and
nutrition. She provided anecdotal
information that implied the benefits of
the Mozart Effect in babies (Notaro).
But how true is the Mozart Effect?
Researchers at Stanford University
and elsewhere have been unable to
establish any kind of connection
between Mozart (or any classical
music) and intelligence.
The Mozart Effect is a scientific
legend, much like an urban legend.
It’s not true (Skapinker).
Further study
No one has been able to prove that
listening to Mozart will help a person
raise his or her IQ.
However, listening to classical music
appears to help students memorize
facts better (Anderson).
Therefore. . .
Studying with Mozart or any classical
music in the background may help.
And if it doesn’t help, it still doesn’t
hurt.
And, a person may develop an
appreciation for classical music.
Works Cited
Anderson, Keisha-Gaye. "No More Magic Flute?"
Psychology Today 33 (2000): 13. Proquest Education
Journals. ProQuest. Karl E. Mundt Library, Madison, SD. 10
Nov. 2006. Keyword: Mozart Effect.
Beynon, Carol. "The Mozart Effect: Music for Children."
Resource Links 3.4 (1998): 24. Proquest Education Journals.
ProQuest. Karl E. Mundt Library, M. 10 Nov. 2006. Keyword:
Mozart Effect.
Notaro, Gerald A. "Brighter Baby." Library Journal 125.11
(2000): 132. Proquest Education Journals ProQuest. Karl E.
Mundt Library, Madison, SD. 10 Nov. 2006. Keyword: Mozart
Effect.
Skapinker, Michael. "Mozart and Management: Why
Companies Fall for Myths." Financial Times 15 June 2005,
1st ed.: 12. Proquest Education Journals. ProQuest. Karl E.
Mundt Library, Madison, SD. 10 Nov. 2006. Keyword: Mozart
Effect.
"The Mozart Effect." Pediatrics for Parents os 21. Proquest
Education Journals. ProQuest. Karl E. Mundt Library,
Madison, SD. 10 Nov. 2006. Keyword: Mozart Effect.