Listening to Mozart enhances intelligence in children and adults.

Is it true that listening to Mozart enhances intelligence in children and adults?

No. The Mozart effect literature concerns a narrow, temporary spatial-temporal reasoning boost, not enhanced intelligence. The researcher behind the original 1993 study explicitly stated she made no claim that listening to Mozart enhances intelligence, and a preschool study found no significant differences on maze tests.

Verdict: REFUTED · 2 sources for, 3 against · Last checked 3 Oct 2026

The private library was unavailable for some searches in this check. Missing library results are not evidence against the claim.

Lois, H. (2000). Listening to Music Enhances Spatial-Temporal Reasoning: Evidence for the "Mozart Effect.". eric.ed.gov. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ658281

Ken, H. (2006). Mozart Effect in Preschool Children?. eric.ed.gov. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ729202

Afshin, A., Peter, D., & Scott, G. (2010). A Limiting Feature of the Mozart Effect: Listening Enhances Mental Rotation Abilities in Non-Musicians but Not Musicians. eric.ed.gov. https://doi.org/10.1177/0305735609336057

Aheadi, A., Dixon, P., & Glover, S. (2009). A limiting feature of the Mozart effect: listening enhances mental rotation abilities in non-musicians but not musicians. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1177/0305735609336057

Mozart effect - Wikipedia. (n.d.). en.wikipedia.org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mozart_effect

Haroutounian, J. (2002). Kindling the Spark. play.google.com. https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=yLNwDwAAQBAJ&source=gbs_api