Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Scientific Correspondence
  • Published:

reply

Prelude or requiem for the ‘Mozart effect’?

Abstract

Rauscher replies — Our results on the effects of listening to Mozart's Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major K. 448 on spatial-temporal task performance1,2,3, have generated much interest but several misconceptions, many of which are reflected in attempts to replicate the research. The comments by Chabris and Steele et al. echo the most common of these: that listening to Mozart enhances intelligence. We made no such claim. The effect is limited to spatial-temporal tasks involving mental imagery and temporal ordering.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

References

  1. Rauscher, F. H., Shaw, G. L. & Ky, K. N. Nature 365, 611 (1993).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Rauscher, F. H., Shaw, G. L. & Ky, K. N. Neurosci. Lett. 185, 44–47 (1995).

    Google Scholar 

  3. Rauscher, F. H. & Shaw, G. L. Percept. Motor Skills 86, 835–841 (1998).

    Google Scholar 

  4. Rauscher, F. H. & Ribar, R. J. Percept. Motor Skills (submitted).

  5. Siegel, S. Percept. Motor Skills (submitted).

  6. Rideout, B. E., Dougherty, S. & Wernert, L. Percept. Motor Skills 86, 512–514 (1998).

    Google Scholar 

  7. Nantais, K. M. & Schellenbergg, E. G. Psychol. Sci. 10, 370–373 (1999).

    Google Scholar 

  8. Wilson, T. L. & Brown, T. L. J. Psychol. 131, 365–370 (1997).

    Google Scholar 

  9. Leng. X. & Shaw, G. L. Concepts Neurosci. 2, 229–258 (1991).

    Google Scholar 

  10. Peretz, I. Brain 113, 1185–1205 (1990).

    Google Scholar 

  11. Rauscher, F. H., Robinson, K. D. & Jens, J. J. Neurol. Res. 20, 427–432 (1998).

    Google Scholar 

  12. Hughes, J. R., Daaboul, Y., Fino, J. J. & Shaw, G. L. Clin. Electroencephalogr. 29, 109–119 (1998).

    Google Scholar 

  13. Rideout, B. E. & Laubach, C. M. Percept. Motor Skills 82, 427–432 (1996).

    Google Scholar 

  14. Rideout, B. E. & Taylor, J. Percept. Motor Skills 85, 112–114 (1997).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Rauscher, F. Prelude or requiem for the ‘Mozart effect’?. Nature 400, 827–828 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1038/23614

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/23614

Comments

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing