The potential connection between harmonic consonance and dissonance in music and pupillometry, a measure of pupil dilation in response to various stimuli, offers a fascinating avenue for exploring the intersection of music and cognitive neuroscience.
As listeners engage with musical compositions, their pupils may respond dynamically to the changing harmonies and dissonances within the music. This connection can be indicative of the emotional and cognitive processing involved in music perception, as the brain's arousal and attention mechanisms react to the perceived tension and release in the music.
By analyzing pupil dilation in response to specific musical elements, it is possible to gain insights into the subjective and physiological reactions to music, shedding light on the intricate relationship between auditory aesthetics and the human autonomic nervous system.