Psychology
Why Do Songs Get Stuck in Our Heads? The Science of Earworms
An earworm — scientifically termed involuntary musical imagery (INMI) — is a short, catchy melodic fragment that loops involuntarily in consciousness without deliberate effort or intention. They arise from how auditory memory and the brain's phonological loop rehearse simple, repetitive hooks, and are triggered by recent exposure, stress, and idle mind-wandering. Research shows certain musical features — simple rhythmic patterns, unexpected melodic intervals, and familiarity — make songs more prone to earworm status. Understanding the cognitive machinery behind them reveals how memory, attention, and prediction interact in the brain.
