Week 12: Effects of problem music on thoughts and behaviors

Each topic is presented according to correlation studies, experimental studies and caveats in the existing research. The problem of demand characteristics with experimental designs is noted. ‘Cognitive priming theory,’ which states that one stimulus can ‘prime’ the mind by activating a ‘schema’ – or cluster of associated variables, as well as classical and operant conditioning, are discussed.
4.3.1 Delinquency and criminality: ‘…evidence indicates that there is some form of relationship between problem music and delinquent/criminal thoughts and behaviors’ (p.174), though there is no proof of a causal relationship
4.3.2 Illegal drugs: ‘for the time being we can conclude that there is a clear link between musical subcultures and use of illegal drugs, particularly within heavy metal and dance music subcultures,’ (p. 181); ecstasy has a very strong link with dance music subculture
4.3.3 Permissive sexual attitudes: ‘it seems that a relationship exists between music and permissive sexual attitudes, but this is not exclusive to all consumers of solely problem music’ (p. 186)
4.3.4 Sexual and racial discrimination: ‘in short, although the evidence indicates a clear relationship between problem music and anti-female attitudes, it could be argued that the effect is stronger amount vulnerable groups and that the broader cultural perception of a particular musical style can cause it to have an influence just as much as the specifics of the song or video in question: if so then any piece of music could potentially lead to anti-female attitudes. Nonetheless, of all the possible effects of music considered in this chapter, the link between problem music and sexism appears to be the one supported most by the available evidence’ (p. 190). ‘In short, it is not clear yet whether there is an association between exposure to music videos and eating disorders…’ (p. 191). Racism can be prompted through a cognitive priming effect.
4.3.5 Self-harm and suicide: ‘any link between problem music and suicide may be no stronger than the link between country and suicide’ (p. 200).
4.3.6 (Mis)Interpretation of lyrics: there is little (if any) basis for concluding that ‘backwards masking’ has any effect. Many people do not understand the lyrics they hear well, even when played normally (in terms of comprehension).