About This Video

When you think about music as a survival instinct, taking the edge off a long train ride is probably what first comes to mind. But neuroscientist Lawrence Parsons wants you to think a little farther back—way back to our evolutionary beginnings. In this clip, Parsons explains how music has helped early humans survive, and how positive feedback from our brain keeps us coming back for more.

Image courtesy of Candida.Performa; Recorded June 2009; Posted April 2011