The "Mozart effect" refers to claims that people perform better on tests of 
spatial abilities after listening to music composed by Mozart. We examined 
whether the Mozart effect is a consequence of between-condition differences in 
arousal and mood. Participants completed a test of spatial abilities after 
listening to music or sitting in silence. The music was a Mozart sonata (a 
pleasant and energetic piece) for some participants and an Albinoni adagio (a 
slow, sad piece) for others. We also measured enjoyment, arousal, and mood. 
Performance on tbe spatial task was better following the music than the silence 
condition but only for participants who heard Mozart. The two music selections 
also induced differential responding on the enjoyment, arousal and mood 
measures. Moreover, when such differences were held constant by statistical 
means, the Mozart effect disappeared. These findings provide compelling evidence 
that the Mozart effect is an artifact of arousal and mood.