Featured Publications
Language experience predicts music processing in a half-million speakers of fifty-four languages
Liu J, Hilton C, Bergelson E, Mehr S. Language experience predicts music processing in a half-million speakers of fifty-four languages. Current Biology 2023, 33: 1916-1925.e4. PMID: 37105166, PMCID: PMC10306420, DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.03.067.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNon-tonal languagesNative speakersTonal languageTonal language speakersUse of pitchMusic perception skillsLanguage speakersLinguistic experienceDiverse languagesLanguage experienceLinguistic pitchPerception of pitchCultural differencesSpeakersLanguageLifelong experienceMusic perceptionMusic trainingPerception skillsMusic processingMusical beatAuditory processingMusical melodiesHuman mindMusic lessons
2013
Two Randomized Trials Provide No Consistent Evidence for Nonmusical Cognitive Benefits of Brief Preschool Music Enrichment
Mehr S, Schachner A, Katz R, Spelke E. Two Randomized Trials Provide No Consistent Evidence for Nonmusical Cognitive Benefits of Brief Preschool Music Enrichment. PLOS ONE 2013, 8: e82007. PMID: 24349171, PMCID: PMC3859544, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0082007.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsVisual arts classesMusic classesArt classesCognitive developmentCognitive effectsEarly music educationVisual form analysisChildren's cognitive developmentSpatial navigational abilityMusic educationMusic instructionMusic lessonsMusical activitiesVisual artsMusic trainingArt activitiesMusical trainingTreatment controlArts instructionWeeks of classesReceptive vocabularyChildren's cognitionCognitive areasCognitive benefitsNumerical discrimination