Young Musicians Reap Long-Term Neuro Benefits

Young Musicians Reap Long-Term Neuro Benefits

Author: Scientific American February 22, 2014 Duration: 2:35
People who played instruments as children responded a bit quicker to complex speech sounds as adults, even if they had not played an instrument in many years. Erika Beras reports

Ever feel like you want to understand the latest discoveries about how we think and act, but don't have time for a lengthy lecture? That's the space where 60-Second Mind lives. Produced by the editors at Scientific American, this weekly podcast distills complex, fascinating studies from the realms of psychology, neuroscience, and behavioral science into concise, one-minute segments. Each episode, released on Saturday, focuses on a single piece of emerging research or a compelling scientific idea, delivering clear commentary that cuts straight to the core of what it means for our understanding of the human experience. You'll hear about the subtle quirks of decision-making, the biological underpinnings of emotion, and the surprising social forces that shape our actions-all delivered in a format that respects your time. This isn't just a rapid-fire news clip; it's a carefully crafted glimpse into the ongoing conversation about the mind, designed to inform and spark curiosity in the brief moments between other tasks. For anyone intrigued by the inner workings of the brain but navigating a busy schedule, this podcast offers a consistent and reliable dose of insight, proving that profound ideas don't always require a long runtime to make a significant impact.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

60-Second Mind
Podcast Episodes
Can’t Take My Eyes off You—Your Face, That Is [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:48
The direction of your gaze when looking at someone offers an unconscious, automatic giveaway of whether your initial reaction is romance or sex. Christie Nicholson reports
Talking to Strangers Makes You Happy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:51
People who had to strike up conversations on a subway later reported feeling happier than those who didn’t. Christie Nicholson reports.
People Think Experiences Bring Happiness, Still Opt for Things [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:38
Survey subjects rated life experiences as making them happier and as a better use of money than buying objects. But they actually spent their cash on material goods, whose value is more easily quantifiable. Erika Beras r…
Childhood Stress Decreases Size of Brain Regions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:37
Children who experience neglect, abuse and/or poverty can have smaller amygdalas and hippocampuses, brain regions involved in emotion and memory, compared with kids raised in nurturing environments. Christie Nicholson re…
Even Monkeys Believe In Hot Streaks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:43
Monkeys trained to play fixed video games made moves indicating that they expected certain patterns to occur. Erika Beras reports
Vision Involves a Bit of Hearing, Too [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:50
Researchers could tell what sounds blindfolded volunters were hearing by analyzing activity in their visual cortexes. Christie Nicholson reports
Parents Who Support Corporal Punishment Do It a Lot [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:13
Thirty-three families allowed themselves to be recorded for up to six nights. Parents who said they supported corporal punishment did it often and with little provocation. Christie Nicholson reports
Extroversion Extends Benefits across Cultures [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:47
In a study covering five different countries, subjects reported feeling best on the days when they practiced what are considered extroverted actions. Christie Nicholson reports