The Effects of Music on our Emotional State: Can it Alter our Moods?

1. The Effects of Music on our Emotional State: Can it Alter our Moods? Adrian Roybal Northern New Mexico College Department of Humanities, Social Sciences, Language & Letters Data Analysis and Findings Discussion Abstract Data Collection and Methods The dependent variable is whether the participant’s choice of music was based on their mood. See Table 2. Table 2. In Table 2 we see that 79.1%(19) of the participants reported that their choice of music was based on their mood, while only 20.83%(5) reported no. Table 3 shows participants intentions for listen to music, whether it was to reflect their moods, alter their moods, or both. Table 3. In table 3 we see that 17 of the 21 participants answered that they chose music to both reflect and alter their moods. Table 4 shows how that 17 of the 23 respondents felt that music did in fact, alter their moods, while only 6 participants reported no change in their moods. Table 4. In table 4 we also see that only 2 males reported that music did not alter their mood, while 4 females responded no. The Classic Experiment, in which a pretest/posttest would have been administered was ideal, but not quite possible in this research. This is a one shot case study consisting of a sample of students in an Intro to Psychology class. The participants were informed that participation was completely voluntary, anonymous, and confidential. While a random sample is the best, this research utilized a purposive sample, in which 26 students were surveyed using an anonymous pencil and paper self-report survey at NNMC spring, 2014 attending a introductory psychology course. The intention was to survey a comparison sample of music students, but that proved problematic, so results are confined to the psychology group. The sample size was N=26, which totaled 12 males and 12 females of the participants who chose to answer their gender. See Table 1. Table 1. The survey was made up primarily of quantitative questions, which were measured with both a Likert scale and a Nominal Scale. The questions were retrospective and only measured how the participants felt at the time of participation. This exploratory research was an effort to determine if music has any influence on a person’s moods. A purposive sample of 26 participants agreed to complete a survey consisting of questions related to their feelings about music. 17 respondents reported that music does in fact, alter their moods. The data suggests that music is a factor in altering individual’s moods. However, there are other findings to report. The data shows a trend of music having a higher importance to males. 8 participants reported they “Listen to music all day, Every day.” Of those 8, 5 were males and 3 females. 7 responded “Can’t live without it.” Of those 7, 4 were male and 3 female. 4 responded “only in the car,” and all were female. The data shows trends of individuals being consciously aware of music altering their moods. The trends also suggests that males placed more value in music. Introduction Conclusions This exploratory research examined the effect music has on a person’s mood, and whether individuals choose music to reflect or alter their moods. Research has shown that adolescents and young adults listen to music an average of 22.4 hours per week. A recent study shows that individuals unknowingly seek out emotional triggers, such as music to reflect their current emotions. The data is suggestive rather than confirmative, because of the sample N=26. The N size is small, however, if the trends indicated in this study were continued within a larger sample, results would confirm the hypotheses. From these trends it would show that my hypotheses are supported, and music does in fact alter moods, and participants listen to music to both alter and reflect their mood. They do not choose music for one specific purpose. It would also suggest that participants are in fact aware that music alters their moods. Theory Aaron Beck’s Cognitive Behavior Therapy examines the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors with regards to coping skills. It is my theory that individuals seek music that will reflect their current emotional state as a means of coping, or a cathartic experience. References Babbie, Earl R. The Practice of Social Research. 13th ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2013. Print. Schwartz, K. (2004). MUSIC PREFERENCES, PERSONALITY STYLE, AND DEVELOPMENTAL ISSUES OF ADOLESCENTS. Journal Of Youth Ministry, 3(1), 47-64. Thoma, M. V., Ryf, S., Mohiyeddini, C., Ehlert, U., & Nater, U. M. (2012). Emotion regulationthroughlistening to music in everyday situations. Cognition & Emotion, 26(3), 550-560. doi:10.1080/02699931.2011.595390 Hypothesis Individuals seek out music to reflect their current moods or emotional state. Individuals seek music that will alter their current moods. Individuals are aware that music does alter their moods. Null-Hypothesis: Music has no effect on individuals and their moods. Acknowledgements I would like to thank the Intro to Psychology instructor Tucker Brown, and his students for participating in this research. With them it would have not have been possible.