Verification and Extension of the Mozart Effect

Attempted to verify and extend the findings of F. H. Rauscher, G. L. Shaw, and K. N. Ky, who found a significant improvement on a spatial-temporal reasoning task after exposure to a selection by W. A. Mozart. The current study investigated whether the findings of Rauscher et al. could be replicated using a different dependent measure, reflected in both accuracy scores and overall reaction times. A modification to the original paradigm, the present study includes compositions by Beethoven and Schoenberg, testing whether there exists an effect for these radically different composers as well. Participants (10 men, 2 women) each listened to four selections, took a spatial relations task after each listening, and answered a questionnaire examining their musical experience with the piece. No significant effects were found for either accuracy or reaction time as a function of listening condition. No significant correlations were found between likeability of a given piece and accuracy. The present data fail to confirm the existence of the Mozart effect, but given the controversial nature of this area, further tests are required before any definitive conclusion can be reached. Possible explanations are also offered to explain this data, and that of other studies.