Sound Matters

As a student of advertising psychology, I am continually amazed at the new heights to which "spin control" is applied to statistics or studies. Chalk it up to my academic training, reading MAD magazine or having a BS detector implanted in my brain, but I feel compelled to respond to half-truths and misinformation when it relates to my home turf. As Paul Harvey says, "...and now you know the rest of the story."

Join me in a brief cadenza to "take a look at the record," so to speak, and set it straight.

But first: I was thrilled to hear one of my all-time favorite songs as I was channel-surfing the other day. In what must be the most radical choice ever, Oksana Baiull, the Olympic ice-skating champion, performed her routine to the title track of Peter Gabriel's masterpiece, "Passion." She wins this year's award for Most Stunning Ice-Skating Soundtrack.

Now, back to the topic.

At the end of a wonderful A&E biography of Mozart, the moderator came onscreen and asked, "Is it possible that listening to this music can make you smarter? In "one" study, some students scored higher on IQ tests than with any other relaxation technique. So listen to some Mozart -- it's good for you."

So. What's wrong with this picture! Let's begin with the fact that I happen to know that study (which I've discussed in a previous article) and have actually spoken to one of the researchers by phone -- something it would appear the scriptwriter did.

"In one study" may mean that in another study, students did not score higher. Yes, it's true that in that study they did, but that doesn't mean it will work for you.

Notice the clever choice of words: some students. Sure, some scored higher -- but perhaps most students did not.

We would also point out that the effect lasted for only ten minutes. And that not just any piece of Mozart would work.

Add to that the Diamond Effect (see previous columns about the research of John Diamond, M.D.) in which the life energy effects of a particular recording is measured by behavioral kinesiology. If you do so, you know that there is considerable variation in the effects on your muscle strength, stress level and brain-mind coherence, depending on which version of a particular composition you are listening to.

Does this mean that "the Mozart Effect" is bogus? Of course not. It does mean, however, that it's not as easy as you might be led to believe. And it's not just limited to Mozart!

The next phrase presents a really juicy red herring. The easiest way to stack a deck in your favor in a comparison test is to compare apples to oranges. What did they compare the Mozart piece to, leaf blowers? Not quite. One relaxation technique was dry, boring, spoken instruction. The other one wasn't much better.

They did not compare it to proven, effective relaxation techniques like the guided imagery of Dr. Emmett Miller. Nor did they compare it to any of my music (which has been studied in other university tests).

Thus, when the moderator says "any" other relaxation technique, it's only, really, "any other relaxation technique that we chose to make sure we'd look good and get the results we wanted."

Again, this is not to say that some Mozart will not work. It is to say that other music can also help you score higher and, certainly, learn better.

On that note, you may choose to pay attention if you hear an ad on the radio or on TV promoting the benefits of "the planet's most advanced reading course." Reading Genius is a music-assisted program that is revolutionizing reading and comprehension rates. More on that in an upcoming installment. (Or if you can't wait, contact me in care of The Monthly Aspectarian or e-mail me for more details.)

Until next time, stay tuned, and enjoy.

Copyright 1996, Steven Halpern

Steven Halpern has earned a reputation as one of the most influential New Age recording artists. With over three million units sold, he celebrates his 20th anniversary by revisiting his World/Jazz roots with Afro-Desia, also featuring Suru, medicine man and healer, and a special guest appearance of Jai Uttal. For free in-store play, contact your sales rep or: Steven Halpern's Inner Peace Music®, phone: 1-800-909-0707 / fax 415-485-1312 / e-mail: innerpeacemusic@innerpeacemusic.com. Visit his World Wide Web site at www.stevenhalpern.com.

For previous columns, see The Monthly Aspectarian at our website.