www.jungedenkmusik.net


	Summary of the results WHO took part in the study? Two-hundred-and-twenty-two participants from 29 (home) countries answered at least two of three open-ended questions. The sample of 222 participants had an average age of 22.56 years (SD = 9.05; range = 13 to 69) and 58% of the participants were female. Regarding the country of residence, 31 participants resided in New Zealand, 30 in Brazil, 23 in Singapore, 5 in Hong Kong, 7 in the Philippines, 13 in the USA, 81 in Germany and 30 participants lived "somewhere else". WHAT did I find out? The aim of the study was to gain a holistic picture of uses and functions of music that are important to young people. I identified seven main themes through a qualitative analysis of the open-ended questions: music in the background, memories through music, music as diversion, emotion in music and catharsis through music, music as reflection of self, and social bonding through music. Music in the background Music is used as background noise while doing something else, or music can fill gaps and help passing time. Additionally, when spending time with friends, music can serve the function of setting the right atmosphere, such as, to make it warm and cosy. When music serves the background function it is not in the centre of attention – music is simply there. Memories through music The next function of music is that a particular song can trigger memories and connect the listener to her/his past. Music can bring back memories of events, stages in life, relationships and emotions or memories of particular persons, like friends or relatives. This function of music can also operate when a person is with friends/family: in this case conjoint listening to a particular song can trigger memories of shared moments. Music as diversion Music is a form of entertainment. It makes people feel good and it is – at least for some participants – made for dancing. Music serves this function of diversion at the surface of meaning. Music is simply there as a medium of entertainment: it is used to feel good without connection to prior mood or emotions. It is accepted as a by-product of people’s desire to dance. Emotion in music The emotional function of music is complex. Music can convey emotions and also trigger emotions or emotional reactions. Listening to music can express the emotions of the listener when particular songs are picked. People choose particular songs to regulate their emotions and mood. Therefore, and more generally, each emotional state or moment is perceived to have the 'right' music. Catharsis through music In this function, music is actively used by people to improve the current state of mind. Music can help someone to relax and relieve stress, or to enhance creativity and an intellectual focus. Listening to music can reduce loneliness on one hand, or it can be an escape from this world on the other hand. Certain music can help venting frustration and aggression. When the shit hits the fan, music is a form of therapy: it can ease sorrow and negative moods in times of crisis. The listener may be an active agent, using music consciously to change a current mental state. Music as reflection of self Music can express and reflect the self, personal values and attitudes. It can guide people and be used as a means of communication. Music can indicate three kinds of identities: individual, social and cultural identity. Music can be an outlet for self-expression. It can express a person's individuality and lifestyle. For the individual music can be an inspiration; something to think about, it can give guidance. Some participants mentioned that music influenced their personal development in a positive way. Music indicates social identity through signifying group membership, for instance, the alternative scene, rave scene or the 'cool group' in your school. Thirdly, music can reflect identification with a culture and comment on its history and current conditions for its members. Evidently, music expresses and influences values and attitudes. These values and attitudes are strongly linked to identity. The music preferences of a person communicate identity, values and attitudes to others. Social bonding through music Now, I describe the last main functions of music: this is social bonding. First of all, music gives an interesting topic to talk about. Liking music is something you may have in common with other people. Listening to music or going to concerts is a nice activity to do together. These shared musical activities can influence the relationship to some friends and family members. Music can create a special bond within a family and within a circle of friends when taste in music is shared. In some cases music can be even a reason for a friendship or good relations in a family. If the taste in music is not shared with friends it can be a barrier for friendship. However, participants often mentioned that if friends have a different taste in music, music becomes unimportant. When talking to strangers about music this information can be used to categories this person. If the taste in music is shared then music can connect people and create a special bond even with strangers. More results will follow soon answering following questions: Are there differences between cultures? Are there gender differences? Are there differences in music preferences and the usage of music? Are there age differences? [what is the study about...] [more...] [results...] [more...] [take part...]		You are warmly invited to take part in my new study about your daily life experience with music. It takes about 10 minutes to fill in the survey.

study1

Summary of the results

WHO took part in the study?
Two-hundred-and-twenty-two participants from 29 (home) countries answered at least two of three open-ended questions. The sample of 222 participants had an average age of 22.56 years (SD = 9.05; range = 13 to 69) and 58% of the participants were female. Regarding the country of residence, 31 participants resided in New Zealand, 30 in Brazil, 23 in Singapore, 5 in Hong Kong, 7 in the Philippines, 13 in the USA, 81 in Germany and 30 participants lived "somewhere else".

WHAT did I find out?
The aim of the study was to gain a holistic picture of uses and functions of music that are important to young people. I identified seven main themes through a qualitative analysis of the open-ended questions: music in the background, memories through music, music as diversion, emotion in music and catharsis through music, music as reflection of self, and social bonding through music.

Music in the background
Music is used as background noise while doing something else, or music can fill gaps and help passing time. Additionally, when spending time with friends, music can serve the function of setting the right atmosphere, such as, to make it warm and cosy. When music serves the background function it is not in the centre of attention – music is simply there.

Memories through music
The next function of music is that a particular song can trigger memories and connect the listener to her/his past. Music can bring back memories of events, stages in life, relationships and emotions or memories of particular persons, like friends or relatives. This function of music can also operate when a person is with friends/family: in this case conjoint listening to a particular song can trigger memories of shared moments.

Music as diversion
Music is a form of entertainment. It makes people feel good and it is – at least for some participants – made for dancing. Music serves this function of diversion at the surface of meaning. Music is simply there as a medium of entertainment: it is used to feel good without connection to prior mood or emotions. It is accepted as a by-product of people’s desire to dance.

Emotion in music
The emotional function of music is complex. Music can convey emotions and also trigger emotions or emotional reactions. Listening to music can express the emotions of the listener when particular songs are picked. People choose particular songs to regulate their emotions and mood. Therefore, and more generally, each emotional state or moment is perceived to have the 'right' music.

Catharsis through music
In this function, music is actively used by people to improve the current state of mind. Music can help someone to relax and relieve stress, or to enhance creativity and an intellectual focus. Listening to music can reduce loneliness on one hand, or it can be an escape from this world on the other hand. Certain music can help venting frustration and aggression. When the shit hits the fan, music is a form of therapy: it can ease sorrow and negative moods in times of crisis. The listener may be an active agent, using music consciously to change a current mental state.

Music as reflection of self
Music can express and reflect the self, personal values and attitudes. It can guide people and be used as a means of communication. Music can indicate three kinds of identities: individual, social and cultural identity. Music can be an outlet for self-expression. It can express a person's individuality and lifestyle. For the individual music can be an inspiration; something to think about, it can give guidance. Some participants mentioned that music influenced their personal development in a positive way.
Music indicates social identity through signifying group membership, for instance, the alternative scene, rave scene or the 'cool group' in your school. Thirdly, music can reflect identification with a culture and comment on its history and current conditions for its members.
Evidently, music expresses and influences values and attitudes. These values and attitudes are strongly linked to identity. The music preferences of a person communicate identity, values and attitudes to others.

Social bonding through music
Now, I describe the last main functions of music: this is social bonding. First of all, music gives an interesting topic to talk about. Liking music is something you may have in common with other people. Listening to music or going to concerts is a nice activity to do together. These shared musical activities can influence the relationship to some friends and family members. Music can create a special bond within a family and within a circle of friends when taste in music is shared. In some cases music can be even a reason for a friendship or good relations in a family. If the taste in music is not shared with friends it can be a barrier for friendship. However, participants often mentioned that if friends have a different taste in music, music becomes unimportant. When talking to strangers about music this information can be used to categories this person. If the taste in music is shared then music can connect people and create a special bond even with strangers.

More results will follow soon answering following questions:

Are there differences between cultures?

Are there gender differences?

Are there differences in music preferences and the usage of music?

Are there age differences?

[what is the study about...]

[more...] [results...]

[more...] [take part...]

You are warmly invited to take part in my new study about your daily life experience with music. It takes about 10 minutes to fill in the survey.