Musical Perception and Social Context in emotional memory consolidation

Abstract

Introduction: Music-based interventions in cognitive neuroscience research have gained prominence.(1,2) Previous studies have shown that musical perception following learning impacts consolidation, improving long-term memory.(3,4,5,6) Additionally, it has been evidenced that social context affects the emotional experience induced through music, generating more intense positive emotions.(7) The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of musical perception and social context on the consolidation of emotional memory in adults.Methodology: Sixty-four participants aged between 20 and 50 years (M = 26.08, SD = 1.22) viewed 36 images (positive, negative, and neutral), and then were assigned to one of four conditions for three minutes: listening to an activating piece of music alone; or with company; silence alone; or with company. Long and short memory was evaluated, and other variables such as liking and familiarity with the music were assessed.Results: There was a trend for groups that listened to music to have a better memory of positive images compared to groups that were in silence. Additionally, a positive correlation was found between musical liking and memory of positive images.Conclusions: Listening to music with company may improve the memory of emotional images similar to what occurs when listening alone. It is necessary to confirm this by controlling context variables such as musical choice, the application of the protocol in-person, and the bond with the company