Debunking Myths: Does Classical Music Make You Smarter?

But how was it possible for the findings of the study to become this distorted? Francis Rauscher believes that much of it reflects the United States’ culture of self-improvement, paired with parental care and the attractiveness of simple solutions. Similarly, musicologist Lina Shaver-Gleason explains that in neoliberal societies, “everything must be seen to serve a purpose to justify the use of resources.” As a result, people often seek to justify their choices, preferences, and actions. This also allows for better marketing: “When everything’s societal value is determined solely by “the market,” then anything that doesn’t sell well must be repackaged,” says Shaver-Gleason.

Another explanation may lie in what people commonly associate classical music with. Classical music is often considered elitist, as money continues to play a role in who can or cannot become part of the industry, one that does not shy away from presenting itself in a serious, sophisticated, suit-and-tie manner. Thus, because affluence and financial success are often associated with intelligence, it is relatively easy to make connections between classical music and being smart.

Moreover, classical music is known for its complexity, creating a broader perception of the genre as one that requires practice, talent, and intelligence. These aspects allow for further generalizations and false assumptions about how smart one has to be to become a classical musician, enjoy the music, or how the genre can impact intelligence.

It is important to keep in mind that such an approach can quickly become problematic, especially when people see themselves and their preferences as superior to others and their choices. As Shaver-Gleason explains, society constantly scrutinizes artistic expressions for their value and impact rather than celebrating various art forms for what they are. In other words, just because one art form is characterized by complexity or depth, it does not make it or its consumers better than others.

So, does classical music make you smarter? The answer is no – that listening to classical music increases one’s IQ is merely a stretch. But what seems to positively contribute to various skills in the long term is learning to play a musical instrument. Similarly, relaxing music, including classical, can help with anxiety or sleep-related issues.

These statements make much more sense, although interpreting findings on its impacts on intelligence should remain the task of scholars. Scientific language is often complicated, which leaves much room for misinterpretation by people outside of a particular field. This may be another reason the Mozart effect became a sizable media sensation. Moreover, it highlights the dangers of arbitrary statements and faulty journalism, which can easily result in fake news and threaten the safety of others.