Music and behaviour

Question 1

how can music influence?
(6)

Answer 1

• drug use, alcohol, smoking
• style of dress
• rebellious, aggressive
• lyrics influence values
• helps uncover feelings
• learn to play an instrument/sing

Question 2

should parents stop?
(6)

Answer 2

• depends on age
• if changes personality
• depends on genre
• not stop… monitor
• depends on artist (good role model?)
• no, can have a positive influence

Question 3

concern about social learning

Answer 3

• youth will “model” or imitate what they hear/see in music
• especially in younger children

Question 4

what have psychologists learned? (1)

Answer 4

1) most studies examine teens liking for various music - then see if liking is associated with other behaviours

Question 5

<– research???

Answer 5

Bogt et al (2013)

• children who enjoyed “deviant” music at 12 years old = higher levels of minor delinquency at 16
• children who enjoyed “mainstream” music at 12 = less delinquency at 16

Question 6

preference for heavy music is related to what

Answer 6

• suicide risk/depression
• more aggressive thoughts, emotions
• more reckless behaviour (drunk driving, unprotected sex, vandalism)
• more substance/drug use

Question 7

preference for heavy music is related to many negative aspects.
however…

Answer 7

• it is mostly for vulnerable teens (conflict in family, poor self-esteem or mental heath)
• correlational findings only

Question 8

what have psychologists learned? (2)

Answer 8

2) researchers have analyzed the content of the lyrics.

• frequent themes = substance use, violence, sexuality

Question 9

<– study example

Answer 9

• interviews with 1461 adolescents asked about sexual behaviour and media use
• teens who reported listening to a lot of music with degrading sexual content - earlier sexual activity

Question 10

<– ideas related

Answer 10

• early sexual behaviour = unplanned pregnancy or STI
• reducing early exposure MAY delay onset of sexual behaviour
• content awareness is important
• but… overall rates of sexual activity have declined (so not only music influencing)

Question 11

what have psychologists learned? (3)

Answer 11

3) only experiments can truly show whether music causes an effect on behaviours (fewer studies like this)

example: exposed teenage girls to thin models in music videos - resulted in body dissatisfaction, poor self-esteem

Question 12

what is the impact of music in retail

Answer 12

• any music is better than no music (feel more positive)
• can create a certain “image”
• slower tempo, lower volume, familiar music = customers spend more time
• fast tempo increases arousal = people spend more!

Question 13

how can music influence gambling behaviour

Answer 13

• music from slot machines influences impressions about the machines
• hearing music has a positive effect
• quality, familiarity, the sound of “winning”

Question 14

familiar music
slow tempo
low volume
non-stop
=
what

Answer 14

STAY LONGER

Question 15

direct influences (music + food and drink products)

Answer 15

• matched influence works (French wine will sell better with French music)
• music evokes good memories/feelings, therefore consume product

Question 16

indirect influences (music + food and drink products)

Answer 16

• background music in commercials becomes associated with products
• background music influences purchase decisions