Rock Me, Amadeus!

Spiegel (2010) conducted a massive review of research on the popular idea that listening to classical music can boost intelligence, particularly in babies. The title "Mozart Effect, Schomazart Effect" pretty much sums up the conclusion: no evidence supports his claim.

But even though blasting Beethoven won't make you a genius, the story of the Mozart Effect's rise and fall offers valuable lessons about science, media, and ...death threats.

A Small Study, Big Hype

In 1993, psychologist Francis Rauscher conducted a study in which college students listened to Mozart, silence, or monotone speech, followed by a spatial reasoning test. The Mozart group scored slightly higher, but the effect only lasted 10 to 15 minutes. Aware of the limitations, Rauscher published a single-page paper in Nature (Spiegel 2010).

Here's where things get interesting. Rauscher received a call from the Associated Press before publishing her paper. Once the AP story broke, the media went wild. Rauscher found herself on national news, bombarded with calls and facing headlines like "Mozart Makes You Smart!  (Spiegel 2010)

From Molehill to Mountain

Speigel (2010) states that Rauscher's modest finding was massively distorted. The public was fixated on classical music boosting children's intelligence, leading to bizarre situations like Georgia giving free Mozart CDs to newborns (Spiegal 2010)!

Why the Hype?

Spiegel (2010) writes that Rauscher attributes the frenzy to a few factors: Americans' love of self-improvement and quick fixes and parents' natural desire to give their children every advantage.

The Real Takeaway

Spiegel (2010) writes that Rauscher maintains her original finding but clarifies that it's not about Mozart specifically. Any engaging music can provide a short-term cognitive boost compared to silence. The real key takeaway is to keep jamming to your favorites.

References

Spiegel, A. (2010, June 28). “Mozart Effect” Was Just What We Wanted To Hear. NPR.org. https://www.npr.org/2010/06/28/128104580/mozart-effect-was-just-what-we-wanted-to-hear