Dr Nikki Rickard

Biography

How can being exposed to a bunch of sounds for even only a few minutes have such a strong emotional impact on a listener? Why do certain types of music - such as the dance music played at rave parties, or the ritualistic drumming of tribal cultures - produce a trance-like state in its listeners? Does my cat like Tex Perkins as much as I do?

Music is ubiquitous in everyday life as well, accompanying us when we drive home stressed, with us when we spend our week's pay in the goodies aisle at the supermarket, and hopefully soothing us as we swat for tomorrow's exam.

What do we know about its impact on our thoughts, moods and behaviours? Is it helpful? Can it be harmful or used subversively (think elevator and 'on-hold' muzac!).

Finally, while nurses and music therapists swear by the efficacy of music, for instance, in reducing anxiety in the dentist's chair, alleviating pain during childbirth and enhancing the immune system of cancer patients, why isn't music a commonly used tool in the physician's medical bag? Is the evidence all anecdotal and biased, or is there a physiological basis to the effect of music on our health?

I'm personally intrigued by all these questions and believe that a psychobiological approach to these questions can enhance the broader understanding of music psychology. And yes, my cat does like Tex too.

Professional Activities

Coordinator for Research Methods and Theory (PSY3062)
Coordinator for Psychology of Music (PSY3240)
Executive member of the PRIMAL Network® of Music Researchers

Research Interests

Evaluation of high quality music education on academic, socio-emotional and psychological outcomes of primary and secondary school students
Benefits of music engagement for emotion processing, cognitive performance and well-being
Modulation of memory via emotionally arousing or calming music
Physiological concomitants of intense emotional responses to music

Grant Support

Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage grant 2006-2009 $348,000

Publications

Book chapters/multimedia

Carr, S. & Rickard, N. S. Facilitatory effects of music on memory: A review of the potential role of emotional arousal. In: Learning and Memory Developments, Nova Publishers. In press.

Velik, L & Rickard, N. S. (2009). A novel approach to memory neuromodulation using music: A literature review In: Benito Figueredo & Fidel Meléndez (Eds) Neuroscience Research Advances. Nova Publishers.

Rickard, N.S. (2002) Motivation & emotion. In: Francis, A. J. P., & Marchant, T (Eds.) Psychology On-Line [On-line]. Melbourne: Open Learning Australia.

Review articles

Edwards, T.M., & Rickard, N.S. (2007). New perspectives on the mechanisms through which nitric oxide may affect memory processing. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 31, 413-425.

Rickard, N.S., Toukhsati, S.R., & Field, S.E. (2005). The effect of music on cognitive performance: Insight from neurobiological and animal studies. Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience Reviews, 4(4), 235-261.

Primary Articles

Baker, K. D., Edwards, T.M., & Rickard, N. S. (2009). A ryanodine receptor agonist promotes the consolidation of long-term memory in young chicks. Behavioural Brain Research, in press.

Rickard, N. S. (2009) Defining the rhythmicity of memory-enhancing acoustic stimuli in the young domestic chick (Gallus gallus) Journal of Comparative Psychology, 123 (2), 217-221

Baker, K.D., Edwards, T. M., & Rickard, N. S. (2008) Inhibition of mGluR and IP3Rs impairs long-term memory formation in young chicks. Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, 90, 269-274.

Knox Anderson, H, & Rickard, NS. (2007). A preliminary examination of short-term effects of an active class-based music program on young adolescents’ self-esteem and anger expression. Australian Journal of Music Education, 5(1), 4-16.

Field, S.E., Rickard, N.S., Toukhsati, S.R., & Gibbs, M.E. (2007). Maternal hen calls modulate memory formation in the day-old chick: the role of noradrenaline. Neurobiology of Learning & Memory, 88(3), 321-330.