The "Mozart Effect"---Fact or Fiction?

Recently, the idea that listening to classical music can increase intelligence, especially in babies, has caught the attention of the media, researchers, and parents around the globe. In the early 1990s, researchers from France and the US published articles that said listening to Mozart for 10 minutes temporarily improved performance on IQ tests and challenging tasks. As a result, the media quickly began reporting on the "Mozart effect."

However, there is some doubt surrounding the Mozart effect. Parents question whether it is a proven reality or just a fad designed to make money. Frances H. Rauscher, a psychologist and author of one of the original studies, is skeptical. Much of the original research pointed to temporary improvements on specific tasks. She believes these findings have been incorrectly portrayed as a general increase in intelligence. "I don't think it can hurt," Rauscher said. Yet she added that parents may still want to think twice before spending a fortune trying to make a genius out of their baby.


1.Summarize what the article is talking about:
This article is talking about that listening to classical music can increase intelligence, especially in babies. But some people question whether it is a proven reality or just a fad designed to make money. And someone said it's a general mistake.

2.Write down any vocabulary words or phrases that you think:
i. Are difficult or you new to you: 1)psychologist 2)skeptical 3)portray
ii. Are probably useful for you to learn/know: Yet she added that parents may still want to think twice before spending a fortune trying to make a genius out of their baby.

3.Say why you chose this article and how it relates to your life, your experience, you desires, etc:
I think after reporting "Mozart effect", "Mozart fanaticism" has caught the attention of most people around the globe. Even though someone doubt whether it's true or not, it still cannot decrease the expect of Mozart music in mother's minds.