Psychology of Music

Course Number
LSOC-212
Description

This course will examine the psychological, physiological, and sociological foundations of music across the lifespan and cross-culturally. Music has the ability to make us move, to change our emotions, to cue memories, to cause us to form bonds with others, etc. How and why does music have such a powerful effect on us? Students will attempt to answer this question by looking at the brain—both the neurotypical brain and the brain dealing with disorders/diseases. They will consider areas of research including the influence of music on behavior, physiological and affective responses to music, perception and cognition of music, psychomotor components of music behavior, learning and development, preference and creativity, the development of music expertise, the generalization of music training, and the brain areas involved in music behavior and processing.

Credits
3
Prerequisites
LENG-111
Required Of
MTHE majors
Electable By
All
Semesters Offered
Fall, Spring
Location
Boston
Department
LART
Course Chair
Marcela Castillo-Rama
Courses may not be offered at the listed locations or taught by the listed faculty for every semester. Consult my.berklee.edu to find course information for a specific semester.