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Introduction to Music Psychology - MUS00175C

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  • Department: Music
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Mimi O'Neill
  • Credit value: 10 credits
  • Credit level: C
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23

Module summary

This course will introduce students 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 Spring Term 2022-23

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 students 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, students 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 all students should:

  • have a knowledge and understanding of how the human mind processes music including the perception of pitch, timbre, timing, expectation, emotion and aesthetics

  • Have an awareness of 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,

In their independent work for this module, students will be required to:

  • first-year students should demonstrate Learning Outcomes A1-6

  • Present seminars (i.e. group or individual presentations on chosen topics) – LO 7;

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Oral presentation/seminar/exam
Presentation		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

Poster and 10 minute spoken presentation (5-7 minutes of pre-prepared content, 3-5 minutes Q&A) on an article relating to any aspect of music psychology discussed in the module, topic to be agreed in consultation with the module leader. Poster and notes/script to be uploaded by the deadline, spoken presentation to be delivered prior to this date.

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Oral presentation/seminar/exam
Presentation		 N/A 100

Module feedback

Mark and report within University designated turnaround time.

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.