Avi Gilboa

String Quartets as Self-Managed Teams: An Interdisciplinary Perspective.

This article examines empirically and systematically whether a string quartet (SQ) ensemble is perceived as a self-managed team (SMT). SMTs, which were initially employed in the industrial world, are groups of employees that have a total responsibility for a defined project. The hypothesis that the SQ would exhibit more typical SMT characteristics than other music ensembles was established in one experiment and reconfirmed in a second experiment. The assessment of the SMT characteristics in these experiments was based on an adaptation of the Self-Managing Work Team Effectiveness questionnaire that had been originally devised for working groups in the business context, and was proven in the present study to be appropriate for music ensembles as well. Possible ways to implement these interdisciplinary findings are suggested.

What are your thoughts when the national anthem is playing? An empirical exploration:

It is believed that when exposed to the national anthem of their native country, people react with feelings of pride and patriotism and that the anthem has the power to unite people around similar associations. We examined these beliefs empirically. In Experiment 1, Israelis of various ages and subcultures listened to their anthem and to three other songs, and wrote down associations that came to mind. It was found that the anthem evoked more national associations than any other song and that this was a shared tendency despite the subcultural divergences. In Experiment 2, a marginal group in Israeli society participated in a similar task and appeared to regard the anthem more negatively than mainstream Israelis. In Experiment 3, associations relating to the anthem were compared to those relating to other national symbols (the flag and an emblem). The flag, but not the emblem, evoked similar association patterns. Results are discussed in light of social identity theory.

Let's talk music: A musical-communal project for enhancing communication among students of multi-cultural origin

In the present article we describe a special project (Lets talk music) in which a multi-cultural group, including immigrants and Israeli-born students (Sabras), was formed. The group was designed according to recommended guidelines for successful contact between groups (Amir, 1969) and implemented music therapy techniques based on psychodynamic principles. Twelve immigrants and Sabras, themselves children of immigrants, met for 24 weekly sessions, conducted by a music therapist. Quantitative and qualitative research which accompanied the project showed that the group process enabled most students, immigrants as well as Sabras, to be more identified with their cultural roots as well as with the Israeli “host” culture. As a result of the group process, students could express more acceptance and openness towards the “other”. It was found that music was a key ingredient in these developments. Results are discussed in light of the common ingroup identity model.

Examining the dyadic music therapy treatment (DUET): the case of a CP child and his mother

Children with cerebral palsy (CP) experience not only motor disabilities but other, emotional, communicative, and social impairments. The relationship between caregivers (usually mothers) and CPs as well as their communication patterns might also be impaired. Music therapy was found to be effective with CPs and dyadic treatment has been found to be effective in facilitating mother–child relationships. However, music therapy and dyadic treatment were never combined to address CPs and their mothers. We present the dyadic music therapy treatment (DUET) and report of a preliminary study that examined if it was effective. The DUET of one dyad was videotaped and subsequently analyzed according to the mixed methods approach. Qualitative analysis resulted in 10 types of communication patterns, seven being non-verbal, two musical, and one verbal. Twenty-two types of relationship were found, 17 being coordinated relationships and five uncoordinated ones. Analyzing the frequencies of these types across the DUET sessions showed that dyadic communication increased significantly, especially in the second half of the treatment. It was also found that relationship types became more coordinated as the treatment progressed. The functions of music in the DUET are discussed and recommendations for future research are provided.

The Impact of Relaxing Music on Prisoners’ Levels of Anxiety and Anger

Listening to relaxing music was found to reduce state anxiety and state anger among various populations. Nonetheless, the impact of relaxing music in prisons has not yet been studied. The current study examines the impact of relaxing music on levels of state anxiety and state anger among a random sample of 48 criminal prisoners. Main findings are as follows: (a) level of state anxiety decreased among the treatment group compared with the comparison group and (b) level of state anger decreased among the treatment group compared with the comparison group. Findings are discussed in light of other studies that have shown positive effects of exposure to relaxing music on levels of anxiety and anger among other populations. The final part of the study provides practical recommendations for prison administrators regarding implementation of programs of relaxing music in various prison facilities.

The unexpected side-effects of dissonance

The effects of dissonant and consonant music on cognitive performance were examined. Situational dissonance and consonance were also tested and determined as the state where one’s opinion is contrasted or matched with the majority’s opinion, respectively. Subjects performed several cognitive tasks while listening to a melody arranged dissonantly, consonantly or under silence. Prior to hearing the music, subjects were given ‘worldwide opinions’ of the music they were about to hear: adequate information (e.g. positive evaluation of consonant music), inadequate information (e.g. positive evaluation of dissonant music) or neutral information. Results showed that dissonant situations (musical as well situational) improved cognitive abilities. This was found under different cognitive loads. A possible explanation involves recalibration of the dissonance-consonance continuum with arousal. It may be that dissonance brings arousal to optimal levels, thus sharpening concentration. Ways to expand the understanding of dissonance and its effects on performance and cognition are discussed.

The roles of music amongst musician Holocaust survivors before, during, and after the Holocaust

The aim of this study is to qualitatively examine the roles of music for musician Holocaust survivors during the Holocaust and whether and how it helped them cope with its effects. Seven musician Holocaust survivors aged 73–95 were interviewed. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of the transcribed interviews indicated five chronological periods where music had different roles: (1) prior to the Holocaust (e.g., as a means to create identity), (2) the outset of the Holocaust (e.g., as a means to maintain normalcy), (3) during the Holocaust (e.g., as a means of escape), (4) the aftermath of the Holocaust (e.g., as a means to promote rehabilitation) and, (5) present day (e.g., as a means to commemorate the past). A sixth category that had a cross-temporal nature was termed “transitional objects,” defined as musical objects that survivors clung to during and after the Holocaust for consolation. The roles of music in coping with the survivors’ trauma are compared to studies that found similar as well as contrasting results and are discussed in light of the literature regarding uses of music for coping with trauma and in light of the growing knowledge about “health musicking.”

Do behaviors of string quartet ensembles represent self‐managed teams?

Purpose – This paper aims to explore whether string quartets (SQs) adopt self‐managed‐team (SMT) principles in line with organizational models of team work. This exploration is significant in face of the status of the SQ as one of the leading and prototypical ensembles in Western music.Design/methodology/approach – Members of 22 leading SQs around the world were contacted and asked to fill out a questionnaire which measures SMT characteristics in managerial teams while referring to their own SQ ensemble.Findings – Results showed that SMT levels of all SQs were extremely high (M=4.39, SD =0.39, on a 1 to 5 scale). In addition, four factors were revealed in this questionnaire: Interpersonal relations and shared monitoring, Leadership, Management style, and Resources explaining 18.4, 15.9, 14.2, and 11.9 percent of the variance, respectively.Research limitations/implications – The current sample is limited in size and may not adequately represent professional SQs worldwide. Nevertheless, this study demonstra...

Developments in the MAP: A method for describing and analyzing music therapy sessions

The Music Therapy Analyzing Partitura (MAP) is a method for describing and analyzing music therapy sessions. The aims of this study were to examine whether music therapists (MTs) are able to use the MAP and what, if any, further improvements and developments need to be made. Qualitative research methods were used: five MTs were asked to use the MAP to describe and analyze two music therapy sessions with clients of their choice. Subsequently, the MTs participated in a focus group. The verbatim transcripts from the focus group were then analyzed thematically. The analysis showed that the MTs were able to implement the MAP and that they found it to be a useful clinical and research tool. The MTs discussed the advantages and disadvantages of the MAP, the necessary requirements for creating a MAP, and made suggestions regarding the MAPs future development. Additionally, the work of three other MTs who used the MAP as part of their research projects is also described. It is of special interest to note how these researchers adapted the MAP to suit their particular research requirements. Suggestions for future developments of the MAP as well as recommendations for potential users are discussed.

The dual nature of the womb and its implications for music therapy

The objective of the present article is to portray the nature of the auditory experience in the womb and to hypothesize on its implications for music therapy. Based on current research about the auditory environment in the womb, this article suggests a model that describes “the dual nature of the womb.” This model suggests that the womb is not only a calm and peaceful environment for the fetus, but that it also has a chaotic and tense side to it. The article considers the writings of three psychologists who referred to fetal sound environment and to its psychological implications after birth. Finally, three clinical cases studies from music therapy are used to illustrate the dual nature of the womb model.