Music cognition is the study of how humans perceive, understand, and respond to music. It explores the mental processes involved in listening to music, including how we recognize melodies, rhythms, and harmonies. Researchers examine how music affects emotions, memory, and even social interactions. This field combines insights from psychology, neuroscience, and music theory to understand the brain's role in musical experiences. Studies often involve brain imaging techniques to observe how different areas of the brain activate when people listen to or create music, revealing the complex relationship between music and cognitive functions.