Examining the Influence of Music Training on Cognitive and Perceptual Transference: A Quantitative Meta-Analysis

Two meta-analyses were conducted in order to delineate whether musicians and non-musicians differ on specific cognitive and music processing domains, and determine the magnitude of any differences. Moreover, potential covariates outlined by the literature were included as moderator variables. As predicted, musicians significantly differed from non-musicians on all music processing tasks (melody perception: d=1.18; pitch perception: d=1.00; temporal perception: d=.834). Furthermore, as predicted, musicians significantly differed on the cognitive domains related to musical ability (Motor: d=1.08, and Audition: d=.837). Significant differences were also obtained in General Intelligence (d=.348), Memory (d=.421), Orientation and Attention (d=.283), Perception (d=.190), and Verbal Functions and Language Skills (d=.423). Meta-regression and sub-group analyses of moderating variables indicated that years of music training, age group, and categories (breakdown of groups within domains) had an effect on summary effects, however this impact was not consistent across all domains. The effects of other potential moderating variables are discussed in the context of existing literature.