By Ali Tariq What psychological functions does music serve in everyday life? It effects our cognitive, emotional and social domains. The social functions of music are manifested in three principal ways for the individual, namely in the management of self-identity, interpersonal relationships and mood.
*Distraction of background music on the learning test performance of introverts and extraverts-
The current study looked at the distracting effects of pop music on introverts' and extraverts' performance on various cognitive tasks. It was predicted that there would be a main effect for music and an interaction effect with introverts performing less well in the presence of music than extraverts. Ten introverts and ten extraverts were given two tests (a memory test with immediate and delayed recall and a reading comprehension test), which were completed, either while being exposed to pop music, or in silence. The results showed that there was a effect on immediate recall on the memory test for both groups when music was played. After a 6-minute interval the introverts who had memorized the objects in the presence of the pop music had a significantly lower recall than the extraverts in the same condition and the introverts who had observed them in silence. The introverts who completed a reading comprehension task when music was being played also performed significantly less well than these two groups. These findings have implications for the study habits of introverts when needing to retain or process complex information.
*Abstract and experiment from website
*Music, Mice and Madness
An experiment to discover how music would affect the ability of mice to learn new things- One group of mice listen to classical music 24 hours a day and another to heavy metal music. Then, time was noted, the mice as they ran through mazes to see if the music affected their speed of learning. Unfortunately, the first experiment was cut short because the heavy metal mice all killed one another. In a second experiment, mice that listened to Mozart for 10 hours a day dramatically improved their maze-solving abilities, while the heavy metal mice actually became worse at solving mazes than they had been at the beginning of the experiment.
*Abstract and experiment from website
*According to the Association for Psychological Science, intelligence test scores grew higher in children who took lessons in keyboarding or singing. In another study, boys between the ages of 6 and 15 who took music lessons scored higher on tests of verbal memory than a control group of students without musical training.
*Abstract and experiment from website
*Music and Pain Reduction-Researchers found that patients who listened to harp, piano, synthesizer, orchestra or slow jazz experienced less post-surgical pain than those who did not.
*Abstract and experiment from website:
Different Grooves for Different Moods-Some people use music to manage their emotions while others have more cerebral motives for turning on the tunes.
“On a crowded subway after a long day, I'll put on a soothing song and close my eyes and just float above everything.” - Ali
“I have a lot of songs and albums. So, if I'm missing a particular person or time, I'll put on my personal soundtrack from that time in my life.” – Sumaira ( my sister )
“ I begin my day with music I like. I usually play hip-hop or pop.” - …….
“ I love my girlfriend, since I met her I have started to listen to love songs.” - ……..
“ Music is my source of energy and way to relax.”- ……..
“ When me and my boyfriend broke-up I started to listen to heart-break songs. They gave me a sense of security like I am not the only one with a broken heart. There was also a song that actually made me get over him, Stronger from Britney Spears."
Psychology of Heavy Metal Music-Studies indicate that rock and heavy metal music are often preferred by troubled teens, but are not the cause of their problems. While a number of researchers have associated heavy metal music with depression or anger, these effects do not occur when heavy metal is the listener’s musical preference. (Personal experience included).
*On a different note,after listening to heavy metal- people have increased fatigue, aggressive, angry, tension, sadness and hostility, as well as decreased mental clarity, vigor. Some researchers have even found that subjects who were angry to begin with become happier, calmer and more relaxed after listening to heavy metal when it is their preferred musical genre. Although the suicide rate is higher among rock and heavy metal fans, a study of students with psychiatric disorders who were also heavy metal fans actually showed improved mood after listening to their music of choice. Other studies of depressed students have found similar results, suggesting that students may use this music to help treat their depression rather than becoming depressed as a result of listening to it.
*Abstract and experiment from website
Academic Performance and heavy metal - Some studies have found that adolescents of both genders who listen to heavy metal tend to have lower grades in school, but this is likely due to aspects of personality or environment (such as high stress) rather than any direct effects of the music itself.
Risk Taking and heavy metal - Those who prefer rock or heavy metal music are more inclined to be reckless sensation seekers who take risks. This is a personality type rather than a direct effect of the music.
Drug Use and heavy metal - One study found that teenagers who listened to heavy metal were more willing to use drugs, though they were not more likely to use them excessively. Other researchers have found no link between the two.
*Seven Ways Music Influences Mood
1. Entertainment - At the most fundamental level music provides stimulation. It lifts the mood before going out, it passes the time while doing the washing up, it accompanies travelling, reading and surfing the web.
2. Revival - Music revitalises in the morning and calms in the evening.
3. Strong sensation - Music can provide deep, thrilling emotional experiences, particularly while performing.
4. Diversion - Music distracts the mind from unpleasant thoughts which can easily fill the silence.
5. Discharge - Music matching deep moods can release emotions: purging and cleansing.
6. Mental work - Music encourages daydreaming, sliding into old memories, exploring the past.
7. Solace - Shared emotion, shared experience, a connection to someone lost.
These seven strategies all aim for two goals: controlling and improving mood. One of the beauties of music is it can accomplish more than one goal at a time. Uplifting music can both divert, entertain and revive. Sad, soulful music can provide solace, encourage mental work and discharge emotions. The examples are endless.
Table showing effects of heavy metal
Relation with parents and society(1 indicates excellent and 5 indicates worst) Pain in life Take life seriously(yes or no) Number of times thought of suicide
Person 1 5 alot No Every night
Person 2 4 Very miserable Yes Many
Person 3 4 Ok Yes Sometimes
Person 4 2 I am happy with life Yes Never
Person 5 3 I am fine Yes A couple of times
Person 6 1 ( I think he is lying) Still living Yes Never
Person 7 3 Doesn’t matter Yeah whatever When I am sad
Table showing effects of other types of music
Relation with parents and society(1 indicates excellent and 5 indicates worst) Pain in life Take life seriously(yes or no) Number of times thought of suicide
Person 1 1 Having fun with life Yes Never
Person 2 2 No pain at all Yes Never
Person 3 1 Alittle but doesn’t matter Yes Never
Person 4 3 sometimes Not much Sometimes
Therefore, this shows that people who listen to heavy metal are less happy with their lives and have higher risk of suicides, but I will also say that it depends on the person’s personality.
Over to you...
Perhaps the way we use music varies with factors like age and culture. Are these experiences true for you? If not, what would you add?
