The Mozart Effect

A Psychological Research Methods Case

By Lisa D. Hager

Abstract

In this case study, students are given information regarding an advertisement claiming that listening to the classical music in the advertised CD set will enhance a person’s cognitive skills and creativity. Students evaluate the claims and the evidence cited to support them, and then determine how they themselves might independently verify the claims. The case combines several approaches, including a directed case approach with the use of journal articles combined with lecture, individual assignments, and small group work. It was developed for a research methods course in psychology.

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Date Posted

03/16/2004

Overview

Objectives

Identify and critically evaluate the claims being made in an advertisement.
Determine how to independently verify the claims.
Compare and contrast a scientific approach with a non-scientific approach.
Design and evaluate an experiment to test the claims.
Read and analyze the components of scientific reports investigating a phenomenon similar to the one described in the ad.
Consider whether one can rely on advertised claims.

Keywords

Research methods; experimental design; repeated measures design; within-subjects design; principle of falsifiability; operational definition; independent variable; dependent variable; control procedure; classical music; Mozart

Subject Headings

Psychology

EDUCATIONAL LEVEL

High school, Undergraduate lower division, Undergraduate upper division

FORMAT

PDF

TOPICAL AREAS

Scientific argumentation, Scientific method, Science and the media

LANGUAGE

English

TYPE/METHODS

Interrupted, Directed, Journal Article