People may prefer different pieces of music across cultures based on emotions expressed musically and lyrically. East Asian societies emphasize interpersonal emotions such as affection, anger, and embarrassment, while Western societies emphasize intrapersonal emotions such as pride, guilt, and anxiety. Two studies tested associations between cultural background and emotions in favorite songs. The first study recruited 435 participants from 33 nationalities with balanced sex distribution and mostly people in their 30s living in the United States, the United Kingdom, or Canada. Participants reflected on a favorite song and indicated emotions using a checklist. Participants also completed a 30-item Self-Construal Scale measuring independent versus interdependent self-construal.
Some people's favorite songs are musically harsh, with lyrics expressing anger and rebelliousness. "Killing in the Name" by Rage Against the Machine comes to mind. Some people's favorite songs are musically bright and uplifting, with lyrics expressing affection and gratitude. "Thank You for Being a Friend" by Andrew Gold, for example. Do people in different parts of the world prefer different pieces of music because of the emotions expressed, both musically and lyrically?
The sample included 33 nationalities, with an equal number of females and males. Most of the study participants were in their 30s and living in the United States, the United Kingdom, or Canada. The participants first reflected upon their favorite song or piece of music. They then used an emotions checklist to indicate the emotions expressed in their favorite music.
Collection
[
|
...
]