Date of Award
Spring 5-15-2012
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science (BS)
Department
Biology
College
College of Science
First Advisor
Bernard Albiniak
Abstract/Description
An increase in spatial-temporal reasoning has been documented in the presence of Mozart's sonata K.448; this enhancement of physical and psychological activities is called the "Mozart Effect" (Hughes 2001). This effect has been recorded in humans and animals alike, and its influence reaches a myriad of applications including calming wild animals to increasing test scores in college students to lowering high blood pressure. Using a cheeseboard apparatus to test spatial reasoning in rats, this experiment recorded the results from maze tasks completed in the presence of sonata K.448 compared to trials completed in silence. Results showed a significant difference between their task completion time when comparing the music and silence treatments. In the presence of Mozart music, rats completed the maze faster and therefore more efficiently. This evidence can be utilized to improve conditioning techniques in captivity and at rehab centers, as well as bolster support for the debated Mozart Effect and new Cheeseboard maze apparatus.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
O'Toole, Kaitlin, "Of Mice and Mozart: Testing Spatial Reasoning and Memory of Rats" (2012). Honors Theses. 81.
https://digitalcommons.coastal.edu/honors-theses/81