INFLUENCE OF MUSIC ON HUMAN PSYCHOLOGY
In the field of music there is much to be explored, and the psychological influence of music seems little known to modern science. According to modern science we are taught that the influence of music, or of sound and vibration, comes to us and touches the senses from without. But there is one question which remains: What is the source of the influence that comes from within? The real secret of the psychological influence of music is hidden in its source, the source where sound comes from (1).
In other words, Kahn is asking about the inner experience of music and how it interacts with the sounds coming from the external world. While Kahn approaches the topic of the psychological influence of music from a spiritual or mystic perspective, it is important to point out that what he is noting is that whatever the nature of the influence of music on human beings, it can be profound. Indeed, Terry (2004 1) reports that music and its influence has been noted in all human societies and that it is known for its ability to put people in good moods, move them to tears, make them want to celebrate and just generally move them emotionally in both negative and positive ways.
Specifically, Terry (2004 1-2) states that the effects of music are really innumerable and can even include effects such as how money is spent or how someone votes, whether a person feels accepted or rejected or respected by a given social group and so forth. Moreover, in terms of human traits and characteristics, Terry (2) states that music can affect human learning, memory, language, emotion and intelligence, all of these being reasons why the effects of music have been studied in many diverse fields.
Nonetheless, Kahn's original point stands which is that modern day science still does not have a strong understanding of the multiple effects of music on the human mind and human behavior. What may help is the development of a...