Science & Technology

Why does our brain crave music ?

By T.K. Randall
April 17, 2013 ·  16 comments

Image Credit: sxc.hu Unlike other activities such as eating and drinking that are essential to our survival, the benefits of playing or listening to music aren't quite so obvious. Nonetheless, evidence of musical instruments dates back to the earliest humans and signs of music's cultural influence can be found all over the world. So what is it that makes music such an integral part of our lives ?

Scientist Valorie Salimpoor has been seeking an answer to this question for years. Based on her team's research, Salimpoor believes that the appeal of music lies in both its emotional and intellectual impact on the brain. Listening to a good song not only evokes an emotional response but also provides a direct intellectual reward as well in relation to pattern recognition and prediction within the brain. [!gad]Unlike other activities such as eating and drinking that are essential to our survival, the benefits of playing or listening to music aren't quite so obvious. Nonetheless, evidence of musical instruments dates back to the earliest humans and signs of music's cultural influence can be found all over the world. So what is it that makes music such an integral part of our lives ?

Scientist Valorie Salimpoor has been seeking an answer to this question for years. Based on her team's research, Salimpoor believes that the appeal of music lies in both its emotional and intellectual impact on the brain. Listening to a good song not only evokes an emotional response but also provides a direct intellectual reward as well in relation to pattern recognition and prediction within the brain.

Source: TIME Magazine | Comments (16)

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