Plenary Speaker

Eckart Altenmüller

Institute of Music Physiology and Musicians' Medicine
University of Music and Drama, Hannover, Hohenzollernstr. 47, D-30161 Hannover

Abstract

Although music is generally acknowledged as a powerful tool for eliciting emotions, little is known concerning the neurobiological basis of these emotions. We investigated the psychological and neurobiological basis of strong emotional responses to music (SEM), leading to shivers down the spine and changes in heart rate. From previous studies it is known that these SEMs are accompanied by the activation of a brain network that includes areas involved in reward, emotion and motivation

In order to observe distinct acoustical and music structural elements related to chill reactions, on-line emotional self report was obtained in several studies on more than 100 subjects while listening to music inducing strong emotions. During the experiment skin conductance reaction (SCR), heart rate, facial elektromyography (EMG), and skin temperature and EEG were measured. After each piece of music, subjects filled in questionnaires regarding their knowledge and recalls connected to the music. Further questionnaires included various personality scales.

Despite of highly individual emotional reactions towards music, some inter-individually constant characteristics of music eliciting chill responses can be found. Chills were much more frequent in previously known music and in familiar music stiles. Furthermore, distinct musical events frequently caused strong emotional responses, especially when violating expectancies.

These results demonstrate that strong emotional responses are not only related to the psychoacoustic properties of the respective pieces of music, but furthermore to biographical memories and personality traits. Therefore, a simple stimulus-response type of reaction cannot be assumed. The question, whether culture independent musical universals exist remains to be clarified.