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Introduction to the Psychology of Music - MUS00126I

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  • Department: Music
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Mimi O'Neill
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: I
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25

Module summary

This course will introduce you to scientific research in Music Psychology which aims to explain and understand musical behaviour and experience, including the processes through which music is created, perceived, responded to, and incorporated into everyday life.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2024-25

Module aims

Music Psychology aims to explain and understand musical behaviour and experience, including the processes through which music is created, perceived, responded to, and incorporated into everyday life (Tan, Pfordrescher, Harré, 2010). Accordingly, this module will introduce you to the basic mechanisms underlying these human capacities. We will start with engaging in the functionality of the auditory system and from there, elaborate on the perception and cognition of musical elements, such as melody, rhythm, harmony, timbre or higher level structures like compositional form or expressiveness. Subsequently, we focus on basic principles underlying listener experience (aesthetics, emotion, and preferences). Finally, the module will provide a introduction to the mechanisms that underlie musical performance skills, like sensorimotor learning, training, and musical talent. During the course of this module, you will be also introduced to basic principles of social science research methods including the design of experimental studies, statistics, and data analyses.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the taught part of the project you should:

  • have a knowledge and understanding of how the human mind processes music including the perception of pitch, timbre, timing, expectation, emotion and aesthetics and the mechanisms underlying musical performance skills,
  • be able to evaluate the methodology of empirical studies from the field of Music Psychology,
  • be able to design empirical studies from the field of Music Psychology,
  • and be able to apply this knowledge in their own professional approach to teaching, composing, and performing music.

Second years: On completion of the module, in your independent work, you should demonstrate learning outcomes B1-6.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Literature review		 N/A 50
Oral presentation/seminar/exam
Poster and presentation		 N/A 50

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

A literature review of approximately 2000 words on a topic of your choice agreed in tutorial (50%); and an academic poster accompanied by short (5–10) presentation, with notes for the presentation submitted with the poster (50%).

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Essay		 N/A 50
Oral presentation/seminar/exam
Short presentation and write up		 N/A 50

Module feedback

You will receive written feedback in line with standard University turnaround times.

Indicative reading

Hodges, D. & Sebald, D. (2010). Music In the Human Experience: An Introduction to Music Psychology. New York: Routledge.

Hallam, S., Cross, I., Thaut, M. (Eds.) (2009). The Oxford Handbook of Music Psychology. Oxford: University Press.

Goldstein, E.B. (2010). Sensation and Perception. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

Deutsch, D. (1999). The psychology of music. Academic Press.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.