Musical Self-Structuration

Question 1

Self-structuration

Answer 1

the constitution and maintenance of the self

Peoples’ private spheres of music are involved in constituting them as social agents
DeNora views the self as a project, entailing the continuous and active process of self-identity over time (Giddens, 1991); similar to the concept of culture, which is always evolving; we don’t carry around fixed ‘identity’ or ‘culture’ in our pockets

Question 2

Aesthetic reflexivity

Answer 2

the ability to reflect upon and mobilize cultural forms

o E.g., modelling our way of speaking or moving based on behaviour we see in a music video
o E.g., defining ourselves in part based on a musical genre or artist
o E.g., listening to music and discussing it with friends

Question 3

Mnemonic

Answer 3

a device which helps us remember something, like a song used to remember the elements on the periodic table

Question 4

Musical priming

Answer 4

the process by which a network of associations linked by shared mood connections is activated by music

o E.g., using music to remember who we were at a specific time, and temporarily recapturing some of our agency from that time

Question 5

Introjection

Answer 5

presentation of the self to the self
o Music can be used as a device for memory retrieval/ memory construction/ the generation of future identity/ mediation of future existence

Question 6

Muzak

Answer 6

background music used in public spaces (also sometimes called ‘elevator music’)