The Psychology of
Music:
7th October 2021
"...the processes through which music is perceived, created, responded to, and incorporated into everyday life." — Wikipedia
Phase 1 - My first starting point
I have chosen the Psychology of Music as my first topic area because I have a passion for listening to and creating music. I am interested in Sound Design and understanding the benefits of music and sound.
RESEARCH - Where do I begin?:
What questions do I want answered?
QUESTIONS:
1. What are the effects of music and different sounds on people?
2. Why do we have different music tastes?
3. Why do we react to different sounds in different ways?
4. Does the volume of a song affect how much we enjoy it?
WHAT I'D LIKE TO LOOK INTO:
I'd like to understand the psychological effects of music on people and how this impacts their behaviour. This can involve music as a method of escapism as well as being used as background sound during revision. This may lead into the effects music and sound have on the brain, understanding the different regions and how these are affected.
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HOW WILL I START MY RESEARCH?
I will start my research into Music by answering the questions I have regarding the topic. Essentially I'll be starting with the basics and then diving deeper.
WHAT IS MUSIC?
The definitions of music...
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"an arrangement of sounds having melody, rhythm and usually harmony classical music" - Ben Davis
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"vocal or instrumental sounds (or both) combined in such a way as to produce beauty of form, harmony, and expression of emotion"
- Wikipedia
WHAT IS MUSIC PSYCHOLOGY?
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"...aims to explain and understand musical behaviour and experience, including the processes through which music is perceived, created, responded to, and incorporated into everyday life" - Wikipedia
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"Music can relax the mind, energize the body, and even help people better manage pain"
- Kendra Cherry
RESEARCH:
"The Psychology of Music" - Drew Gula
RESEARCH LINK:
NOTES:
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Music is a form of art
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The brain "attunes to sound in the womb somewhere between 16 and 18 weeks".
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Psychology of music is broken down into three categories: how our brains process sound, how it affects the brain and how music therapy can be used to improve life.
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HOW DO OUR BRAINS PROCESS SOUND?
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Our body perceives sound as vibrations and translates this into pulses.
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The Science behind it - Sound travels as pulses which grow wider and taller as they travel with time. The cone then expands and the pressure weakens which affects how clear the sound is.
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"Crowded streets are full of competing pulses". Whereas a single sounds travels differently through air which is why we can hear it clearer.
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Music is more complex than pulses, as it's made up of multiple sources and frequencies. ​
HOW OUR BRAINS RESPOND TO MUSIC:
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"Music is both a simple sound and a complex amalgamation of different sounds" - However, when these sounds are arranged, our brain receives these signals to then separate the instruments and vocals as individual parts. As well as physically reacting to the beat of the song.
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This level of complexity can be composed and arranged to "generate emotions and pleasure".
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Five regions of the brain have the most significant impact on the listener: Temporal lobe, Amygdala, Frontal lobe, Cerebellum and Hippocampus.
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HOW MUSIC AFFECTS THE...:
AMYGDALA - The "emotional switchboard of the brain". This manages both positive and negative emotions. It's the part of the brain that processes sounds and results in our reaction to them. (Emotionally) An example of this - it can alert us when an ambulance is approaching or when we hear a familiar voice. Responses such as feeling calm after listening to meditation music is a result of the amygdala.
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FRONTAL LOBE - Interests and taste in genres/songs. This area is a "frequent focus" for most music therapists. This area is based on how we respond to music. (Differing between genres etc) Our favourite genre can be a result of influence as well as internal preferences for harmony, rhythm and lyrics.
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HIPPOCAMPUS - In charge of storing information. Theres a strong tie between listening to music and memory. The "repetitive nature" of music activates short-term memory while building long-term memories. Music can be written to target these different regions which then lead to different reactions. This proves it can be used as a great tool for healthcare providers.
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MUSIC AS A THERAPY TOOL:
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Valuable tool tool for helping individuals with negative life experiences as well as injuries. Music doesn't fully repair damage, however definitely creates 'new pathways' to cope with it.
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A study proved (will link below) that music can promote healing in several different forms. For example reduced depression, heightened motivation and improved thinking.
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Music therapy can be used to deal with addictive disorders and even Autism. It's not a cure but there is evidence that it can give people strength during surgery and treatment etc.
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Neurobiological Effects of Music on the Brain - https://remix.berklee.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1005&context=mh-exchange-music-medicine.
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EVALUATION/REVIEW OF ARTICLE:
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The psychology of music is a result of how the brain process sound and how it affects the brain.
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Music triggers the same pleasure as eating your favourite food or exercising.
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Music provides people with a way to manage anxiety, loneliness and depression.
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"Music has the power to improve a person's life".
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People find comfort and strength through music.
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Music Therapy can lead to self-expression, self-discovery and healing.
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Music brings a sense of community
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Can reduce anxiety
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Boosts healing through the release of hormones
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Improves cognitive functions
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Can improve psychiatric symptoms (e.g. schizophrenia)
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Builds communication skills for kids with "developmental delays".
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Music can be used as a natural therapy disregarding age or health status.
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Creates a calming environment.
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RESEARCH:
"Benefits of Music on the body"
RESEARCH LINK:
NOTES:
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Why do some genres of music resonate with us and others do not?
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Why are people's tastes so varied?
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Do people's preferences depend on their age?
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Listening to music benefits us collectively as well as individually.
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Music has the power to improve our physical, mental and emotional health.
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EVALUATION/REVIEW OF ARTICLE:
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Music can have a positive impact on mental, physical and emotional health.
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Music Therapy is used for more than I could ever imagine.
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Music can be used to trigger memories and help those suffering with mild dementia remember moments from their life.
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Can be used to motivate you, make you feel more connected to others and feel generally happier. This is by the release of specific hormones. Some music has been composed and arranged to do this intentionally.
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Can reduce anxiety and depression
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Improve your response to pain
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Increase motivation
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MUSIC CONNECTS US
An important function of music is to create a sense of 'cohesion' or 'social connectedness'. It can be used as a way of uniting people for example, national anthems sung at sporting events or hymns sung in a place of worship.
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MUSIC EFFECT ON THE MIND
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Doctors at Johns Hopkins state that music can stimulate your brain and also make you feel more motivated to learn. However this depends on the person - Research found that those with lower working memory capacity struggled with this as listening to music with lyrics led to a negative effect on their learning.
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Music has a positive effect on memory - "Music doesn't reverse the memory loss experienced by people with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia". Music slows cognitive decline, helping those with mild dementia remember 'episodes' from their past.
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Listening to music triggers the release of chemicals that impact mental health and the functions of the brain - Dopamine, a chemical associated with pleasure. Stress hormones, serotonin and oxytocin - the ability to connect to others.
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Music can help calm you in situations where you may feel stressed or anxious.
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Music blended with nature sounds help people feel less anxious, especially those facing critical illness.
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Music therapy lessened fatigue in people receiving cancer treatments.
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Enhances physical performance. "Athletes who listening to high-intensity music were motivated to perform better competitively"​​
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Can help people manage both acute and chronic pain better than medication alone.
MOOD-BOARD
Statistics and Diagrams based on Music Therapy results and the effects on the brain:
RESEARCH:
"How different genres affect our moods"
RESEARCH LINK:
What did I learn?
This research was based on the effects of different music genres on an individuals mood. I have documented this in the form of a mind-map.
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What surprised me from this was that sad music is good for sad people! Often people connote sad music with a downwards spiral, however this is not the case. From my research I discovered that listening to this genre of music helps us process our own feelings which is an extremely important part of the healing process! As well as this it allows us to relate to other individuals. Regarding this research I plan to carry out a little experiment with my friends - I will play a variety of different songs and genres and ask them to note down their feelings at the time of listening. From this I can compare the different emotions triggered and take note of trends/similarities between us.
MY LITTLE EXPERIMENT:
Documenting my friends reactions to different genres:
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PURPOSE
The purpose of this experiment was to gather responses to different genres of music and evaluate how different genres effect us differently - in terms of mood.
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WHAT DID I DO?
I noted down 4 contrasting genres of Music and created a table with 4 columns where I'd document the responses. I asked my friends to note down on a sticky note how they felt before the task and then during each song!
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The four genres/songs:
SAD: Fix you - Coldplay
UPBEAT/HAPPY: Walking on sunshine - Katrina & The Waves
INSTRUMENTAL/CLASSICAL: First Day - Pink Swan
ROCK: School - Nirvana
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I began by asking my friends to note down how they felt before listening to the first song, to then evaluate how their mood changed. I also participated in this task!
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FEELINGS BEFORE EXERCISE:
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Tired
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Hungry
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Stressed
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Satisfied
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Confused
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Weary
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Calm
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(After a long day at university)
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I then played each song and asked each participant to write down their feelings on a sticky note. They then pinned up their notes to the board accordingly.
AFTER THE EXERCISE - THE RESULTS
RESULTS​
EVALUATION OF RESULTS
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From the responses gathered I can understand the kind of effect each genre had on the participants. The group started off feeling tired, hungry and stressed after a long day at university until they began listening to the first song. The first genre made them feel emotional and sad as well as evoke feelings of calm and relaxed. The tone of the song (linked above) is quite slow and mellow with a sad message. Also, the lyrics of the song also had an impact on the participants as some noted down the word 'reflective'.
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The song just after Fix You was Walking on Sunshine, a more upbeat and happy tune. I wanted to compare the emotion created by both songs back to back! Participants noted down happy, awake and energetic whereas the song before evoked feelings of sadness and sleepiness. 'Walking on sunshine' sounds just as you'd imagine - the upbeat, fast tempo caused feelings of joy and liveliness.
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I then played a more tranquil piece, this time with no lyrics. This genre evoked feelings of calm, peace, motivation and comfort. Although this was an instrumental and therefore had no lyrics to listen to, the tempo and tone of the piece already did so much. Personally I enjoyed listening to the layered instruments and harmony created, which made me feel safe and comfortable in my environment. This is the type of music generally used for study sessions, to motivate people to work or to create a sense of ease.
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Lastly, I played a song from the genre Rock. Rock music is known for being upbeat and a little bit crazy, and I wanted to see how their mood changed after listening to a calming instrumental! Suddenly each participant felt on edge and I could see this visually too! Words noted down including unsettled, disturbed and overwhelmed - probably from the intense layered instruments and loud noise.​
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It was fascinating to evaluate the feeling/mood achieved after listening to 4 very contrasting genres of music, and it was interesting to see that music affects us in the same way as most responses were repeated and reflected similar themes!
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NEXT RESEARCH AVENUE
I'd love to look into music as a therapy tool in more depth and focusing on the benefits on mental and physical health. I am intrigued to know if the effects of music are used to their advantage. Using what I know about the effects of different genres and the effects of music on the brain, I'd love to see if this has been explored and used in a way I wouldn't have imagined.
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RESEARCH:
"What is Music Therapy?"
During my previous research the term 'Music Therapy' has been mentioned regarding benefitting ones health, so I began searching for articles to assist my research into this topic.
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What did I learn?
“Music Therapists draw upon the innate qualities of music to support people of all ages and abilities and at all stages of life”
RESEARCH LINK:
"Introduction to Music Therapy"​​
(183).jpg)
NOTES:
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Using music enables clients to create their own musical language​
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Particularly effective for people who have difficulty communicating verbally
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Children with autism can develop emotional, social, and communicative skills
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Can help someone with dementia connect with their memories
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“Everyone has the ability to respond to music”
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What is it? – Psychological intervention delivered by music therapist
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Music therapy uses the same theory/analysis as other therapies, but offer using music and sound to communicate with the client, rather than words
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Uses music to communicate and take pressure away from finding words. Usual therapy often expects clients to find the words to explain how they’re feeling which can be very difficult and challenging.
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Music to connect and engage, without having to articulate painful thoughts and memories
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Useful for mental health, trauma, relationship issues, physical disability, those with dementia to make them feel less isolated, hospital settings etc, in young people and adults.
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Collection of Images from Google Images.
QUICK REFLECTION:
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​Music Therapy is suitable for both children and adults and is extremely versatile. It's a form of therapy which uses Music and Sound to communicate thoughts and feelings rather than using words which may not be easy to share. This makes it easier for patients/clients to express themselves without actually having to articulate painful thoughts. Music Therapy can be used to benefit anyone and is especially useful for those suffering with mental health, trauma, physical disability and relationship issues. It's a form of expression and an easier way to communicate.
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Next...
How does it actually work?
What does a music therapy session entail?
What kind of instruments do they use?
RESEARCH: - My question: What happens during music therapy?
"How We Work"
“Explore the world of sound”
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NOTES:
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What happens during a session? The client uses percussion instruments and their own voice to “explore the world of sound”.
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Over time a relationship/trust is built, and emotions can be expressed and explored
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Every session is different depending on how the therapist responds to the person’s needs and ‘creative direction’.
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Consists of improvisation, musical games, and pre-composed songs.
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Playing music freely, making it up as you go along
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The persons use of the instruments will “naturally reflect their emotional state at that moment” – a way of expression
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By playing together the therapist and the client form a relationship where trust and communication are established.
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Can also include listening to songs, singing songs, creating the, dancing or moving, performing, or even writing stories in music.
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Each session has an objective and aim.
MOOD-BOARD:
Percussion Instruments used during Music Therapy
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A Music Therapy Session - A recording of a Music Therapy Session with an Adult with Autism.
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"Adult with Autism Shines in Music Therapy”
- Ryan Judd
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Focuses on building self-esteem, highlighting strengths, encourages decision making, staying calm and collected and becoming independent.
RESEARCH LINK:
EVALUATION OF SESSION:
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Therapist begins singing with the client and uses his Guitar to play a song using the clients name Elliott - as a type of greeting.
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Elliott is then given the option of a percussion instrument.
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The therapist matches the rhythm of the client in order to connect with and 'honour' his natural rhythm.
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They sing about being in control, calm and collected.
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The therapist stops during the performance to give the client a chance to control his body. (Come to a stop)
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He then encourages the client to sing on his own and gradually gets quieter as the client becomes more confident and independent.
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The therapist continues to communicate with the client and remains eye contact at all times.
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They then perform a song they wrote together in order to 'celebrate Elliotts strengths and build his self-esteem'. In this case they were singing about his skill with numbers!
A Music Therapy Session - Parkinson's Disease
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"Parkinson's and Music Therapy”
- Norton Healthcare
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RESEARCH LINK:
EVALUATION OF SESSION:
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Music Therapy is used to achieve a 'non-musical goal'.
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During this session, music therapy is used to strengthen breath support and voice strength as well as motor movements - tapping to rhythms.
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Parkinson's Disease - a person has lost some of their internal rhythm, using music with a steady beat hopes to compensate with this loss.
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Music can help the brain rewire itself with parts of the brain that are damaged.
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Participants enjoy attending with others - with same interests.
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Patients form a social network and don't like to leave the group!
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Can improve mood and self-esteem as well as enhancing motor movement.
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Exercise and Music Therapy are as effective as drugs!
What is Parkinson's Disease
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"a progressive disease of the nervous system marked by tremor, muscular rigidity, and slow, imprecise movement, chiefly affecting middle-aged and elderly people. It is associated with degeneration of the basal ganglia of the brain and a deficiency of the neurotransmitter dopamine" - Oxford Languages
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VISUALS: MOOD-BOARD
A few mood-boards for different visuals of Music which I have researched so far
Musical Instruments
Music on the Brain
Brain Maps
SUMMARY OF RESEARCH:
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What have I learned?
I have learned a lot about the benefits behind music and the effects listening, composing and interacting with music has on the brain and ways it can impact our health. I have also understood a lot about Music Therapy. Prior to this research I was unaware of this type of therapy and since then I have learned a lot about it.
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What do I find interesting?
I really enjoyed learning about this aspect of music because it makes me interested in how we can use the effects of music to our advantage and assist with things like mental and physical health issues. I find this element of music more interesting than anything and would love to expand on this in my own time.
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What would I take further if I choose this as my starting point?
I would definitely dive deeper into the affects on the brain and how this works in terms of the different regions and how they individually play their part in this. I like the idea that music can be used to benefit us and I'd like to dive into how it's used without us even knowing it's impact on a daily basis.