Italian scientists from the University of L’Aquila studied the connection between musical training and human cognitive abilities. They concluded that learning music makes a person more resourceful and able to think outside the box. The study was published in the scientific journal magazine Brain Sciences (BrainSci).
Previous research has shown that divergent or divergent thinking is influenced by a wide range of psychological factors, including personality traits and emotional intelligence, but is also controlled by cognitive processes.
Of these cognitive processes, working memory appears to play a critical role in divergent thinking because it allows one to retain task instructions in one’s mind, follow ideas without repetition, and mentally manipulate information.
83 healthy young people aged 19-20 participated in the study. Volunteers were evaluated for working memory and lateral thinking abilities.
The results showed that divergent thinking and working memory are indeed linked. People with better working memory tended to score higher on measures of creativity and resourcefulness.
Scientists stated that the study sheds light on the connection between musical education and cognitive abilities.
Previous researchers I learned Playing a musical instrument has unexpected benefits for the brain.