For adults, certain types of music are almost always experienced as uplifting or even joyful. Others are sad or conjure up a fearful situation. Research shows that adults from a many cultures recognise these emotions in music and can match them with equivalent facial expressions. This suggests these might be universal aspects of emotion expressed through music. Investigating this with babies helps us discover that. And in fact, previous studies have shown that babies can match happy and sad music and expressions. Our current study extends this to also look at fearful music and expressions. The research will gives us insights into which aspects of music babies understand and will allow us to learn more about musical development in general.

You will be asked to complete some background questions and then your baby will listen to several different musical clips each presented with two faces. To measure your baby’s responses we will film their reaction. You will be with your baby at all times.