The Relationship between Formal Music Training and Conflict Control: An ERP Study

Abstract

Music training involves manifolds of sensorimotor processes that tie closely with executive functions, including conflict control. Past studies have found consistent evidence in children of the link between music learning and executive functions. However, the same relationship has not been found in adult populations, and conflict control has yet to be studied in a focused manner. Via the Stroop task and event-related potentials (ERPs), the present study examined the association between musical training and conflict control ability among Chinese college students. The findings exhibited that individuals with music training outperformed individuals without music training by demonstrating higher accuracy and faster reaction times on the Stroop task and exhibiting greater N2 and smaller P3 amplitudes compared to the control group. The results support our hypothesis that people who received music training demonstrate advantages in their capacity for conflict control. The findings also provide scope for future research.

The relationship between music training and cognitive flexibility: an ERP study

“…Previous studies have demonstrated that individuals with music training typically have higher P3 amplitudes, which reflect their better cognitive abilities (Collins and Koechlin, 2012 ). However, our results showed that the P3 amplitude of the control group was greater than that of the music group, which has also been confirmed by Hao et al ( 2023 ). During their selecting tasks, individuals in the control group put in more cognitive effort, demonstrating that the control group needed more monitoring and inhibitory abilities in order to respond correctly to the switch task.…”

Music training is related to late ERP modulation and enhanced performance during Simon task but not Stroop task

“…The self-report tool evaluates differences in musical skills in the general, non-specialist population, and gauges diverse aspects of musical sophistication, including active engagement, perceptual abilities, singing abilities and emotional responses to music. In addition, the number of years of formal training was measured as it has shown associations with performance in Simon ( Slevc et al, 2016 ; Joret et al, 2017 ) and Stroop tasks ( Hao et al, 2023 ). Based on the results of the Gold-MSI, participants were split at the median (Median = 2 years of training, Mean = 3.4 ± 2.2, Range = 0–10 years) into high- (Mean = 5.86 ± 3.5 years of training) and low- (Mean = 0.3 ± 0.4 years of training) musical training groups for subsequent analyses.…”

“…The self-report tool evaluates differences in musical skills in the general, non-specialist population, and gauges diverse aspects of musical sophistication, including active engagement, perceptual abilities, singing abilities and emotional responses to music. In addition, the number of years of formal training was measured as it has shown associations with performance in Simon (Slevc et al, 2016;Joret et al, 2017) and Stroop tasks (Hao et al, 2023)…”

Individuals’ food preferences can be influenced by the Music styles: An ERP study

“…This suggests that individuals with lower e ciency in mobilizing inhibitory control resources are more prone to consuming a greater number of calories (Carbine et al, 2017a) The N2 component, characterized by a negative de ection and stimulus reactivity, exhibits a greater amplitude when more con icts are detected (Botvinick et al, 2001;Clayson & Larson, 2013). Individuals with music training have been found to display larger N2 amplitudes (Hao et al, 2023). Moreover, soothing and cheerful music have been shown to regulate negative emotions and reduce N2 amplitude (X.…”