PS32037: Psychology of music
[Page last updated: 22 April 2025]
| Academic Year: | 2025/26 |
| Owning Department/School: | Department of Psychology |
| Credits: | 5 [equivalent to 10 CATS credits] |
| Notional Study Hours: | 100 |
| Level: | Honours (FHEQ level 6) |
| Period: |
|
| Assessment Summary: | CWES 100% |
| Assessment Detail: |
|
| Supplementary Assessment: |
|
| Requisites: | Before taking this module you must ( take PS22007 OR take PS20167 ) AND ( take PS22008 OR take PS20168 ) AND ( take PS22009 OR take PS20107 ) |
| Learning Outcomes: |
By the end of the unit you should be able to:
Demonstrate a critical understanding of the main theoretical and empirical work conducted in the field of psychology of music, and be able to critique and evaluate this Critically apply the knowledge in applied settings, such as improving relations between individuals or groups of individuals, music therapy, and music rehabilitation Employ the knowledge of music learning and development to other domains of psychology such as intelligence, development, and expertise Investigate musical phenomena using theories from cognitive, social, and developmental psychology perspectives Critically appreciate and evaluate the individual differences that exist regarding musical ability and performance, and critically examine the relevant factors that have an effect on this Critically examine the role of culture on music and the role it plays in everyday life, as well as in rituals, human bonding, and worship |
| Synopsis: | Gain an understanding of the role of music in different aspects of life, including development, social interaction, and wellbeing. Given how ubiquitous music is it will span across multiple fields of psychology. You will learn about the tools, theories, and methodologies employed to investigate the nature, the neuroscience and role of music as an intervention. You will be able to reflect on the implications of the psychology of music research on social life more broadly. |
| Content: | If there is something that can bring us together, despite our differences (e.g. in culture and age), it is music! We all enjoy music (well with few exceptions), but not all of us can produce music. This unit will cover the following areas:
Introduce you to the mystery of the most common music disorders and the prominent theories that try to explain these disorders and their associated cognitive and social deficits.
Critically examine how music can elicit and express emotions and the theories trying to explain their association.
Learn about the powerful effect of music expertise and how effective music training is as a rehabilitative therapy or tool to enhance cognitive, emotional and social abilities.
Examine the link between development and music and critically evaluate the function of music in our social life (e.g. in relationships).
Introduce research on the link between music learning and individual differences (e.g. motivation) and on the many cognitive, emotional and social factors contributing to music performance.
Discuss the role of culture in music and musical expression/function and on how music can be a key component of health, well-being and positive psychology.
Discuss the link between music and health settings and clinical populations and the prominent theories that try to explain this relation. |
| Course availability: |
PS32037 is Optional on the following courses:Department of Psychology
|
Notes:
|