How Do Neuroscience Techniques Reveal the Influence of Music on Human Auditory Attention?

Abstract

Neuroscience techniques reveal that music influences human auditory attention by eliciting physiological responses, such as pupil dilation, to perceived beats, even in their absence. This phenomenon demonstrates that people can experience a beat psychologically, separate from its physical presence in the music. Through the use of computational models, researchers are able to distinguish these perceived beats from actual rhythms, underscoring music’s power to shape perception. As these methods continue to advance, they will allow for the study of auditory attention in complex social settings, further deepening our understanding of music’s unique impact on human perception.