How does mindfulness meditation affect music aesthetic emotion processing (MAEP) ?

Chinese classical folk instrumental music and MAEP

A study published in Frontiers in Psychology explored how temporary mindfulness meditation training affected the musical aesthetic emotion processing (MAEP) of non-musically trained university students. The study used Chinese classical folk instrumental music to evoke calm, happy, and sad emotions [1].

The results revealed that temporary mindfulness meditation decreased negative emotional experiences associated with happy and sad music, while also decreasing positive emotional experiences linked to calm music during both the recognition and experience phases of MAEP. This suggests that mindfulness meditation might help individuals regulate their emotional responses to music, leading to a more balanced experience.

The researchers also found that temporary mindfulness meditation enhanced the experience of beauty in music. This finding suggests that mindfulness might promote a deeper appreciation for aesthetic qualities in music.

Here's a breakdown of the specific effects observed:

• Reduced negative emotions: Participants in the mindfulness meditation group reported less tension and sadness when listening to sad music, and fewer negative emotions overall when listening to happy music.

• Decreased positive emotions: The mindfulness meditation group reported fewer positive emotions like wonder, tenderness, and joy when listening to calm music. The researchers attribute this to the non-judgmental stance towards inner experiences fostered by mindfulness.

• Enhanced beauty experience: Mindfulness meditation led to an increased appreciation of beauty in the music, regardless of the emotion it evoked.

The study concludes that maintaining a mindful state while listening to music can enhance body awareness and create a sense that time is passing more quickly. Although the study found no statistically significant differences in tension and liking between the mindfulness meditation group and the control group, the researchers suggest that temporary mindfulness meditation might still subtly influence these aspects of MAEP. They recommend further investigation using longer-term mindfulness training to explore these effects more thoroughly.

------------------------------------------------- [1] Front. Psychol. , 21 July 2021 Sec. Health Psychology Volume 12 - 2021 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.648062 "Research Topic: A Critical Appraisal of Research in Arts, Health and Wellbeing" Authors: Xiaolin Liu, † Yong Liu, † Huijuan Shi, Maoping Zheng, Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (Ministry of Education), Southwest University, Chongqing, China School of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China Research Institute of Aesthetics Psychology of Chinese Classical Music and Basic Theory of Music Performance, Chongqing Institute of Foreign Studies, Chongqing, China School of Music, Southwest University, Chongqing, China