Human social life ‘boosted by music’

Music affects human social life in profound ways beginning from infancy, according to new research, with lullabies calming both baby and mother.

Scientists also found that seeing music performed live gives a better feeling of interconnectedness than just hearing it.

Experts used head and hand sensors to study the effects of music in a variety of situations, from motherchild interactions to concert halls.

Researchers from the Cognitive Neuroscience Society began with investigating how mothers and children adjusted mood during lullabies.

Mothers repeatedly sang Twinkle Twinkle Little Star to their babies who were sitting in a highchair facing them. Focus and awareness were found to be higher during playtime songs, along with levels of positive emotion.