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Music improves memory in Alzheimer’s Disease
Researchers have long suspected that music has a unique role in memory, and one of the most striking examples of this link is the way that memory for music seems to survive as we age or in cases where cognitive function is impaired by illness or injury. Often individuals whose memories are failing can still recall favourite songs and lyrics. There is also the case of Clive Wearing. Clive was an accomplished musicologist and conductor when he was struck down with encephalitis in his 40s, resulting in a dense amnesia. Despite having a current memory span of between only 7-30 seconds, and not being about to recall any of his…
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What is a music psychologist?
I am a music psychologist, and I love my job! I currently work as a researcher at the Music, Mind and Brain group, which is part of the psychology department at Goldsmiths, University of London. So what does a music psychologist do, exactly? Psychology is the study of the human mind and behaviour – so music psychology is simply the study of everything to do with the human mind and behaviour that is linked to music – and that is a lot! Music has been a part of human life for as long as we can track its history. It is present in every human culture on Earth. And it…
