Music Can Mold Us

Think back to the first time you heard or played music. Perhaps your mother or father sang to you, or you strummed the strings on a guitar. How did it feel to hear or play music?

Many people would agree that exposure to music provides a positive experience, often promoting relaxation and healing. Research supported by the American Psychological Association shows that music can influence how we perceive the world and enrich our lives in a variety of ways.

APA contributor, Kirsten Weir notes,

Music is an extraordinary feature of the human species. It unites us and conveys feeling when words fail. It speaks to our identity as individuals and as members of a group. It is universal—found in nearly every culture and society—yet wildly diverse. It is emotionally potent but cognitively complex. In all its intricacy, music is a mirror of the brain itself, and it has its own implications for cognition, emotion, and identity.

Music continues to impact our lives and can be shown to mold us and enhance our quality of life and well-being.

Learn more about how music can shape us here!

Photo credit: Unsplash.com