What is the study about?

This study is based on the findings of my first study: the meaning of music for young people. This study is about the functions of music listening that were identified in the previous study. Listening to music can serve emotional functions, for instance, to cheer you up, or to help you cope with crises (Juslin & Sloboda, 2001). However, music can also have social functions. For instance, it can create a special bond between you and your friends or your family (Hargreaves & North, 1999). Furthermore, your favourite music can represent who you are, such as, by reflecting your personality, values, and attitudes (Rentfrow & Gosling, 2003).

The results of this study will reveal how these different functions of music are related to a person’s emotions and wellbeing, social identification, personality and personal values. This project will help us to better understand how individuals use music to maintain emotional stability, social relations, and one’s own identity. Furthermore, this study will reveal whether certain functions of music are related to a preference for specific music styles or to music in general.

References
Hargreaves, D. J., & North, A. C. (1999). The functions of music in everyday life: redefining the social in music psychology. Psychology of Music, 27, 71-83.

Rentfrow, P. J., & Gosling, S. D. (2003). The do re mi's of everyday life: The structure and personality correlates of music preferences. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84(6), 1236-1256.

Sloboda, J. A. & Juslin, P. (2001). Music and Emotion: Theory and Research. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

[take part in this study...]

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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.