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Updated: Nov 6, 2025
11:15
fMRI Mapping of Brain Activity Associated with the Vocal Production of Consonant and Dissonant Intervals
Published on: May 23, 2017
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Memorisation and implicit perceptual learning are enhanced for preferred musical intervals and chords
Pietro Sarasso1, Pasqualina Perna1, Paolo Barbieri1
1BIP (BraIn Plasticity and behaviour changes) Research Group, Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Via Verdi 10, 10124, Turin, Italy.
Psychonomic Bulletin & Review
|May 4, 2021
Summary
We learn better what we like. This study found that aesthetic preferences enhance music memorization and implicit learning, suggesting applications for teaching and memory rehabilitation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Music Cognition
Background:
- Neuroaesthetics and neurocomputation models suggest a link between aesthetic appreciation and learning.
- While aesthetic appreciation is linked to attention, direct evidence for its impact on learning is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between aesthetic preferences (consonance vs. dissonance) and the memorization of musical elements.
- To explore the neural mechanisms underlying aesthetic appreciation's influence on learning using electroencephalography (EEG).
Main Methods:
- Experiment 1: Participants memorized and recognized musical chords, with memorization accuracy compared for preferred vs. non-preferred chords.
- Experiment 2: An EEG study using an auditory mismatch detection paradigm to assess implicit perceptual learning and its correlation with aesthetic judgments.
Main Results:
- Memorization of musical chords was significantly enhanced for subjectively preferred chords.
- A correlation was found between aesthetic judgments and attention-related neural components (N1).
- Implicit perceptual learning, indicated by mismatch responses, was stronger for more appreciated musical intervals.
Conclusions:
- Aesthetic appreciation is linked to both implicit learning dynamics and higher-order learning processes like memorization.
- Findings suggest potential applications in educational settings and for rehabilitating memory and attention deficits.
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