Infographic: This is Your Brain on Music

Cognitive scientist Steven Pinker has argued that music is simply a byproduct of language, no more than an evolutionary “spandrel.” And he has dismissed music as “auditory cheesecake,” which “just happens to tickle several important parts of the brain in a highly pleasurable way, as cheesecake tickles the palate.” In fact, he claims that, “as far as biological cause and effect are concerned, music is useless.” Daniel J. Levitan’s This is Your Brain on Music, takes the opposite view of music. Levitan refutes Pinker’s theory by citing some of the latest cognitive science on music's effects on the brain. 

By way of an infographic, you will visually illustrate three of Levitan’s key rebuttals of Pinker’s argument about music. Cite specific evidence from This is Your Brain on Music only.

A well-executed infographic will:

• Will state its thesis in the subheading
  
• Have a design and style dictated by the subject
• Clearly articulate three distinct arguments to support Levitan's rebuttal
  
• Stay within the parameters of This is Your Brain on Music

 

Infographics are most easily utilized in PowerPoint (or a comparable program, such as Canva). Additionally, if you are experienced in them, you may also use Photoshop or Illustrator, though it is by no means required.

Due: Sat 12.5 (via Canvas)