When tension is exciting: an EEG exploration of excitement in music

摘要: Abstract Music powerfully affects people’s emotions. In particular, moments of tension and deviation in musical features, including frequency, pitch, rhythm (known as a Drop), are associated with positive However, the neuro-correlates Drops emotive effects have never been explored. Thirty-six participants listened to music pieces containing Drop, while undergoing continuous EEG, rated felt excitement. Source reconstruction EEG data showed significantly different activity five brain regions before after Drops: pre- post-central gyri (PreCG PostCG), precuneus (PCUN) were more active inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), middle (MFG) Drops. Importantly, IFG MFG strong correlation subjective excitement ratings during Drop apprehension. These results suggest expectancy is important induction emotions, agreement ITPRA theory. Specifically, when expected but do not occur immediately, moderate induced. Strong emotions then ensue deviations finally occur, due contrastive valence. This reflected significant for high arousing, pleasurable such