The Mozart Effect
...en ages 3 to 9 years demonstrated a 46% boost in their spatial reasoning IQ. Amazingly the effects were greatest in the youngest children (Rauscher 2003). The gain did not occur in the children who did not take lessons. Rauscher and Shaw presented the results to The American Psychological Association in Los Angeles. The theory was still doubted. In 1995, another follow up study was done. This time it was confirmed that the music of Mozart does help to improve spatial reasoning. It was also found that the effect could increase with repeated exposure to the music. The test did have a down side. The effect did not occur if the music did not have sufficient complexity (Rauscher, Shaw, and Ky 1995). Why Mozart and not Beethoven? Researchers think that it has something to do with the fact that Mozart was a child prodigy. It is believed that his mother played music for him before he was even born. By age four he was already beginning to compose on his own (Bower 2004). Others believe that the complexity of his music along with the repetition in the music is what stimulates the brain (Bower 2004). Since the first studies were done, many more have been conducted. Some to support the theory, other to prove it wrong. Many of the studies in support of the Mozart Effect try to see whether music instruction is important in the classroom. Most of the studies showed that music instruction improves spatial reasoning. Spatial reasoning is important to the core concepts of mathematics, such as proportions and fractions (Rauscher 2003). Along with spatial reasoning, memory retention and proportional reasoning have shown improvement in students who have been exposed to music in some way. While the benefits of the Mozart effect may be small and even just temporary why not give children all the edge they need in the classroom. Most schools are eliminating music programs along with art and physical education, stating that these subjects do not benefit the student academically (Raucher 2003). Although eliminating music might be happening in the U.S., that is not the case in the country of Denmark. Educators in that country are trying to pass a law that all children in preschool have some sort of musical education (Holgerson 1997). They believe that music does impact the child’s education and abilities. While the Mozart effect has many supporters, it also has its opposition. Many researchers find it hard to believe that just musical instruction can increase intelligence even temporarily. A recent study done at the University of Toronto claims that that the only thing that gets a boost from music is your mood not intelligence. Gabriela Husain, William Forde Thompson and Glenn Schellenberg, claims that the Mozart effect is actually “a consequence of changes in arousal and mood” (Rushowy 2003). In a study conducted by the foursome, one of four versions of a Mozart sonata was played to students. The students were then tested on their ability to complete a complicated paper-folding task. The students who heard the fast upbeat version scored better that those who heard a slower version (Rushowy 2003). “ The upbeat music puts you in a better mood state and helps you with your task,” said Hussain. However, the Coalition for the Music Education in Canada strongly disagrees. The group is a charitable organization that advocates music programs as an essential part of school cirriculum. The group states that the study done by the University has not encompassed the long-term benefits that other studies have shown. Spokesperson for the group, Kevin Lennon states “ There is a tremendous amount of research that shows the consistent, long term, and profound impact music education has on a child’s over-all development.” “ Math and science scores consistently are higher, which shows the lasting effects”. Husain and the other researchers still disagree, they state that any good mood activity, such as a trip to the park can give the same effects as music. While the Mozart effect is suppose to encourage musical exposure in children. Many people and companies have also cashed in on the Mozart craze. One of the most not...