26 Jan Editorial: The Impact of Music on Human Development and Well-Being
ABSTRACT: This editorial references many other studies that measure the impact of music on “Human Development and Well-Being”.
Music is one of the most universal ways of expression and communication for humankind and is present in the everyday lives of people of all ages and from all cultures around the world (Mehr et al., 2019). Hence, it seems more appropriate to talk about musics (plural) rather than in the singular (Goble, 2015). Furthermore, research by anthropologists as well as ethnomusicologists suggests that music has been a characteristic of the human condition for millennia (cf. Blacking, 1976; Brown, 1999; Mithen, 2005; Dissanayake, 2012; Higham et al., 2012; Cross, 2016). Nevertheless, whilst the potential for musical behavior is a characteristic of all human beings, its realization is shaped by the environment and the experiences of individuals, often within groups (North and Hargreaves, 2008; Welch and McPherson, 2018). Listening to music, singing, playing (informally, formally), creating (exploring, composing, improvising), whether individually and collectively, are common activities for the vast majority of people. Music represents an enjoyable activity in and of itself, but its influence goes beyond simple amusement.
AUTHOR SUMMARY: Graham F. Welch, Michele Biasutti, Jennifer MacRitchie, Gary E. McPherson, Evangelos Himonides
READ MORE: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01246/full
