The major-minor mode dichotomy in music perception

Abstract

In Western tonal music, major and minor modes are recognized as the primary musical features in eliciting emotional responses. The underlying correlates of this dichotomy in music perception have been extensively investigated through decades of psychological and neuroscientific research, yielding plentiful yet often discordant results that highlight the complexity and individual differences in how these modes are perceived. This variability suggests that a deeper understanding of major-minor mode perception in music is still needed. We present the first comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis, providing both qualitative and quantitative syntheses of major-minor mode perception and its behavioural and neural correlates. The qualitative synthesis includes 70 studies, revealing significant diversity in how the major-minor dichotomy has been empirically investigated. Most studies focused on adults, considered participants' expertise, used real-life musical stimuli, conducted behavioural evaluations, and were predominantly performed with Western listeners. Meta-analyses of behavioural, electroencephalography, and neuroimaging data (37 studies) consistently show that major and minor modes elicit distinct neural and emotional responses, though these differences are heavily influenced by subjective perception. Based on our findings, we propose a framework to describe a Major-Minor Mode(l) of music perception and its correlates, incorporating individual factors such as age, expertise, cultural background, and emotional disorders. Moreover, this work explores the cultural and historical implications of the major-minor dichotomy in music, examining its origins, universality, and emotional associations across both Western and non-Western contexts. By considering individual differences and acoustic characteristics, we contribute to a broader understanding of how musical frameworks develop across cultures. Limitations, implications, and suggestions for future research are discussed, including potential clinical applications for mood regulation and emotional disorders, alongside recommendations for experimental paradigms in investigating major-minor modes.