PSYC 398

The topic for 2025-2026 is Psychology of Music. The course introduces fundamental and exciting developments in the growing field of the psychology of music. Taking a cognitive psychological approach, topics in the course include how humans perceive sounds, especially musical sounds. It also explores our memory for music, music and the brain, rhythmic behaviour in humans and animals, pitch perception, music and expectancy, music and emotion, musical performance, musical creativity, musical intelligence, musical development, cross-cultural perspectives in music research, music appreciation and personality, music and well-being, and the historical context. Students will explore complexities underlying research findings and will aim to relate this understanding to music in their lives, as well as to other areas in psychology.