Music and the Mind

This unit of study explores how musical sound is identified and processed by the human ear and brain and the subsequent effects and interrelationships music has with our memory, emotions, and physical wellbeing. Students begin with a review of hearing and brain anatomy and function, with a focus on the neural processes that transfer sound from the ear to the brain and the parts of the brain responsible for processing auditory information. This leads to an exploration of how people identify and recognise sounds, undergoing the process from sensation to cognition. The unit then continues with studies of the relationship between music and memory, and between music and emotion. The effects of music on childhood development and learning are then explored, as well as an introduction to the principles of music therapy and the potential effects music can have on treating people with illnesses and disabilities. The unit concludes with an exploration of theories of musical talent, and the essential cognitive traits of a professional or expert musician.