Use music in mediation? Still no answer since one note, tone, or tune does not fit all

Because of the effects it can have on the mind and the brain, I would like to use music in mediation. (See one of my earlier posts on this quest.) So I have been trying to find out if there is music that is universally calming, invigorating, inspiring, you get the idea, or if the effect is so individual that use of music in a mediation or negotiation would be risky. Today I have some more pieces to the puzzle but no definitive answer yet.

I am happy to say that I just heard from a neuroscientist who said she has given a presentation on this topic. She is traveling this week but will get back to me with more information. I also have heard from many other helpful people, some of whom have referred me on to others.

Neuroscientist Dr. Robert Zatorre was kind enough to write (quoted with permission):

It is certainly true that music can have calming effects, just as it can have arousing effects, and even incite people to violence (think: Nazi marches, etc). The calming effects are to some extent probably universal in that low-intensity, smooth contours, small pitch variation, slowly moving music has features that are universally associated with being calm, or even sad (that is, when you are calm you move slowly, you don't jump around, and so forth). This is why both lullabies and funeral marches tend to be slow, soft, and so forth. There is some literature on this, and I would recommend the book by Sloboda and Juslin (Oxford U Press, 2001) on this topic. [Music and Emotion: Theory and Research]

However, cultural constraints are certainly very important, I think, and cannot be overlooked. There are all kinds of things that people "bring to the table" as it were, based on their background, upbringing, musical acculturation, etc.; even personal associations might be important (a certain mild, relaxing piece may be calming for most, but if it happens to reminds me of my ex-wife who left me for another man, then it might have a different effect!)

Therein lies the problem. So far it has not been easy to find anyone with a solution. Fortunately the detective work is compelling—and fun. I will keep you updated.

Note (added February 9, 2009, 9:00 AM Mountain): Somewhat related article: "All Together Now: How Getting in Sync Can Make You a Better Person" (Scientific American). Hat tip: Diane Levin via Twitter.

Note (added May 26, 2009): Steve Mehta blogged about music in mediation in his Mozart as a Mediator — Using Music To Influence Emotional Reactions in Mediation (Mediation Matters). If one could extrapolate the findings of the research to mediation, the problem posed above by Dr. Zatorre about what I will call The Ex-Wife Effect still remains. What is "happy music" to one may be something very different for another. The experiment cited by Mehta (involving a total of 45 participants) is described here. I am glad to see that others are becoming interested in the use of music in conflict resolution.

My latest post about music in mediation.

Note (added June 2, 2009): Changing a quote by Mel Helitzer. He wrote about humor but I am inserting the word "music" instead. "In matters of music, what is appealing to one person may be appalling to another."

Image credit: RoganJosh.

Comments

[Tammy Lenski]

Stephanie, thanks for tracking this one down and continuing to -- I've often wondered about the potential for music in the mediation room and appreciate any insights you glean from the experts. I've taken the approach of asking clients if there's a type of music or particular artist they enjoy for chilling out, and sometimes, when there' a match in the answers, tune it in during sessions.

[Steve Mehta]

Stephanie. Thanks for linking to my post on Mozart and Music for mediation. I am keenly interested in this area. I recently saw a study in divorce that involved music. I will look for it to add to the discussion.

[Rick]

Music is really universal, no matter what color and race you are it relaxes us. Of course it is a matter of preferences, me when I'm stressed I like to listen to a soothing sound of nature.

[Janis Rader]

Stephanie: I am a lawyer, mediator and classical pianist, and have been writing on this subject for the past year (not ready yet to publish but getting close!). thank you for your post, and I will be following up on the posts of Steve Mehta and others. I find personally that Mozart is both stimulating and calming to my mind, particularly works in the key of B-flat. I am delighted to hear that this subject is of interest to you and others, in diverse fields. I'd be interested in further writings of yours, please email "raderresolutions@gmail.com"