Understanding the Psychology of Music

Music is a ubiquitous experience for humans and discovering how we are affected by these sonic vibrations is the focus of this class. Through a project-based model and emphasis on experimentation and curiosity, students will complete four modules of study: perspectives on human music activity; music research fundamentals; factors affecting music experience and perceptions; and how music affects us. Across a multi-genre and interdisciplinary perspective, students will personalize their experience while contemplating how music affects their lives and behavior.

Learning Outcomes

After successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Describe principles of experimental design.
• Define physical properties and perceptual properties of sound.
• Describe how humans acquire music skills from pre-birth through adulthood.
• Evaluate recent empirical research related to human musical behavior.
• Design an experiment focused on some psychological or psychosocial aspect of music behavior.
• Discuss variables influencing music preferences and perceptions
• Identify how music affects behavior in real-life settings such as stores
• Create experiments and projects based on hypotheses generated from readings