The Power of Music in Memory Recall

Lots of experiences can trigger the recollection of something in your past: the smell of food or cut grass or the dust before a storm, going to a place you used to live or hang out, or seeing an old photograph. One source of particularly powerful recollections is a phenomenon abbreviated MEAMs, which stands for Music-Evoked Autobiographical Memories.

Along with the recall of who was there and what happened, the MEAMs have strong emotional content. They can produce feelings of nostalgia, longing, regret, or affection.

Understanding Memory Types

In this module, you will learn about two different types of long-term memories. One type is called semantic memory, and it involves memory for facts, like remembering that George Washington was the first American presidentIn contrast, episodic memories contain details of events that happened at specific times and places in your life. MEAMs are essentially autobiographical memories, rich in episodic content and emotional depth.

Research Insights on MEAMs

Researchers have found that MEAMs are quite common. One study by Jakubowski & Ghosh (2021) had participants ranging in age from 18 to 72 report details of MEAMs they experienced each day using a diary. They found that participants reported experiencing an average of one MEAM each day, most commonly while driving. Regardless of the participants’ age, these memories typically centered on late adolescence and early adulthood. Generally, these memories were associated with positive emotions, like happiness or elation, but also mixed emotions, like nostalgia and longing.^[1]

The Emotional Content of MEAMs

Recent work by psychologists Sakka and Saarikallio has delved into the qualitative aspects of MEAMs. Their findings suggest that these memories often relate to individual identity and significant relationships. In a study including participants showing signs of severe depression, such individuals recalled MEAMs with negative emotional content, commonly involving relational or mental health struggles.^[2]

The Power of Music

Music is deeply related to many psychological dimensions. Aside from its connection to memory and emotion, movement (dance), attention and thinking (“I can only study with music on”), and social relationships (parties and concerts). Anthropologists report that, like language, all cultures have some form of music, even though it can be expressed in many ways.

Psychologists working with people who suffer from various forms of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease, have found that music can produce complex reactions, clearly related to memory, from patients who are withdrawn and uncommunicative, and appear sad or depressed.

Watch this video of a woman from Spain with Alzheimer’s disease. She was a prima ballerina 50 years before. Here she listens to the music she once knew very well.

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