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The origins and function of musical performance
1Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Radcliffe Quarter, Oxford, United Kingdom.
Frontiers in Psychology
|November 29, 2023
Summary
Music
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Neuroscience
- Anthropology
Background:
- Music is a universal human trait with an unclear evolutionary origin.
- Existing theories on music's function lack a unifying explanation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose and support a primary evolutionary function for music.
- To explain the origins and diversification of music's various roles.
Main Methods:
- Summarization of experimental evidence.
- Analysis of neurohormonal mechanisms.
- Reverse-engineering evolutionary pressures.
Main Results:
- Experimental evidence suggests music's primary function is social bonding.
- Music performance activates the brain's endorphin system, crucial for social bonding.
- Other music functions are likely exaptations or secondary developments.
Conclusions:
- Music's core function is as a social bonding mechanism.
- The capacity for music likely evolved with archaic humans, coinciding with singing abilities.
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