Research
Drumming, Social Bonding, and Group Identity
This study aims to assess the relationship between group identity and interpersonal entrainment and determine the efficacy of group entrainment to reduce divides and improve pro-sociality between individuals in disparate groups. We study this by having participants from disparate group perform rhythmic drumming tasks with one another, and then assess their ingroup/outgroup bias, identity perception, cooperation, and empathy towards those from outside their group. In addition, we are curious to determine if higher accuracy in their synchronous drumming is associated with larger changed with personal identity and pro sociality.
Music Training and Child Development
What effects does systematic music training have on children throughout development? What mechanism underlies such effects? Our program aims to understand the effects of instrumental music training on children’s socioemotional, cognitive, and functional and structural brain development. To assess the effects of music training on child development, we study children prior to the start of music training and follow them thereafter using psychometric evaluations of socioemotional and cognitive functioning, EEG, and fMRI. We hope these investigations will lead to a better understanding of the effects of music training on child development, and provide insights into the role of music education in the childhood curricula.
Extracurricular Activity and Child Early Learning and Development
In 2022, we began the EXCEL Study to explore the effects of different after-school programs on child brain development. 40 children from low income ages 6-8 were randomly enrolled in either a theater program at 24th Street Theater or a music program at Colburn Community School to help cultivate different artistic and creative skills. These children will be enrolled in their after school program for two full years. Data collection is currently ongoing, but by collecting cognitive and fMRI measures we hope to clarify how self-control and decision-making change before and after each program. In addition, we hope to create a successful protocol of tracking kid’s after school arts programming that can be replicated and expanded upon by future researchers to continue to encourage research on the impact of the arts on child development.
Music Listening and Older Adults with Cognitive Impairment
How do different listening activities impact agitation and anxiety in older adults with cognitive impairment? This research study looks at the impact of music and audiobook listening on the management of agitation and anxiety associated with dementia and cognitive impairment in older adults between ages 65-85. Participants and their caregivers listen to either music or audiobooks via a tablet and headphones at home four times per week, each time 30 minutes long for a total of 8 weeks. We collect measures assessing emotional and cognitive wellbeing before and after each listening session, as well as before and after the 8 week listening period.