Music and Mental Imagery
Briefly

Listeners of music frequently engage in forming narratives or mental images while listening, which can be affected by individual experiences and cultural backgrounds. For many, the process of imagining stories enhances their emotional connection to the music, while shared cultural contexts may lead to similar interpretations among listeners. Visual imagery, whether spontaneous or deliberate, plays a crucial role in perceiving music, influencing the overall aesthetic and emotional experience. Factors like eye closure can heighten this imagery, allowing for richer engagement with music.
The stories people imagine while listening to instrumental music are essential to its aesthetic judgment and to its emotional power.
Listening to calm music evoked imagery related to nature and relaxation, while sad music brought forth imagery of pain and agony.
Cultural background significantly influences the types of stories listeners conjure when engaging with music, leading to shared but distinct interpretations.
Eye closure during music listening has been shown to enhance the experience of visual imagery significantly.
Read at Psychology Today
[
|
]