We know music can profoundly affect us, whether you’re the type who gets weepy at a classical performance or kicks a child at a metal show. But what exactly is going on in our brains when that happens? This cartoony infographic from the University of Florida breaks it down, from the ear to the brain. It also includes some interesting notes about the correlation between brainwaves and emotions. Low beta waves, for example, are associated with concentration and alertness, while alpha waves are associated with relaxation and daydreams.
But maybe take some of this stuff with a grain of salt: Taking a class on music education isn’t necessarily going to improve your SAT scores, even if picking up the trombone is correlated with bubbling in the right answers.
The Psychology of Music infographic
[viual.ly via VisualLoop]
