Mental Control in Musical Imagery: A Dual Component Model.

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Psychology
• Auditory Neuroscience
• Music Cognition

Background:

• Musical imagery, or hearing music in one's head, is common but poorly understood regarding mental control.
• Existing research is fragmented across different areas like laboratory studies, involuntary musical imagery, and musicians' practices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and discuss a dual-component model of mental control in musical imagery experiences.
• To integrate diverse research literatures to provide a comprehensive framework for musical imagery.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis integrating findings from four key literature areas.
• Literature review encompassing lab-based auditory imagery, involuntary musical imagery, musicians' mental rehearsal/composition, and in vivo studies.

Main Results:

• A dual-component model of mental control is proposed, comprising initiation (voluntary vs. involuntary) and management (post-initiation control).
• Evidence suggests that mental control over musical imagery is multifaceted, not a single entity.

Conclusions:

• The proposed model offers a new framework for understanding mental control in musical imagery.
• Future research should focus on the two proposed components of mental control and integrate existing literature more effectively.