MAPPING MUSIC PSYCHOLOGY, MUSIC PERCEPTION, AND AUDITORY PROCESSING (1964-2025): A BIBLIOMETRIC SCIENCE-MAPPING STUDY

Abstract

This study maps the intellectual structure and evolution of music psychology, music perception, and auditory processing through a field-wide bibliometric analysis of Web of Science Core Collection publications from 1964 to 2025. The final dataset comprised 1,519 English-language journal articles published in 430 sources. Using bibliometrix/Biblioshiny in R, the study examined publication growth, citation performance, core journals, influential authors and institutions, thematic structure, and international collaboration patterns. Results indicate sustained expansion with moderate growth (1.79% annually) and a strongly collaborative authorship culture (3.84 co-authors per article), including substantial international co-authorship (28.64%). Source and author analyses reveal a concentrated set of high-output journals and knowledge-brokering scholars bridging music cognition and clinical auditory science. Thematic mapping identifies music perception as the dominant core, alongside clinically central work on cochlear implants and hearing, supported by broader perceptual and neurocognitive themes (e.g., pitch, speech, emotion, cortex). Country analyses show U.S. dominance in volume and connectivity, while citation-normalized impact highlights high influence for Canada and several European systems. The findings clarify how theoretical, neuroscientific, and clinical strands are structurally integrated within the field. The study also establishes a quantitative baseline for evaluating future thematic shifts, collaboration patterns, and geographic diversification in music psychology research.