The Science and Psychology of Music: From Beethoven at the Office to Beyoncé at the Gym - Paperback

by William Forde Thompson (Editor), Kirk N. Olsen (Editor)

This book provides a broad introduction to the scientific and psychological study of music, exploring how music is processed by our brains, affects us emotionally, shapes our personal and cultural identities, and can be used in therapeutic and educational contexts.

Why are some people unable to carry a tune while others are musical savants? What do our musical preferences say about our personality and the culture in which we were raised? Why do certain songs remind us so strongly of particular people, places, or events? How can music be therapeutically used to help those with autism, Parkinson's, and other medical conditions? The Science and Psychology of Music: From Beethoven at the Office to Beyoncé at the Gym answers these and other questions.

This book provides a broad and accessible introduction to the fascinating field of music psychology. Despite its name, music psychology includes a number of fields, including neuroscience, psychology, social psychology, sociology, and health. Through a collection of thematically organized chapters, readers will discover how our brains recognize elements of music, how music can affect us and shape our identities, and the many real-world applications for such information.

Author Biography

William Forde Thompson, PhD, is a Professor in Psychology at Bond University, Australia, and an Emeritus Professor at Macquarie University, Australia.

Kirk N. Olsen, PhD, is a Research Centre Manager at the Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Australia. He is also the Research Manager of the Macquarie University hub of the Music, Sound and Performance Research Group.