Death Magnetic: Heavy Metal as Cultural Worldview Defense Against the Fear of Dying

• In Event: ICA Plenary Interactive Paper/Poster Session III
  In Interactive Paper Session: Mass Communication Interactive Poster Session

Abstract

Heavy Metal music is often associated with death and dying by non-fans while members of this subculture report that listening to metal music is their escape from depression and even helpful against death-related thoughts. What remains unclear in recent research on Terror Management Theory is if 1) the presentation of cultural goods directly after mortality salience is enough or if the buffer components still need to be activated and 2) if the activation of one buffer component is enough. Two studies investigated whether heavy metal music is able to serve as a cultural worldview buffer against existential anguish by using implicit measurements. In study 1, we found that fans had no further need to increase their cultural worldview but only if they listened to metal music after the induction of mortality salience. Results of study 2 revealed that metal music made further support of self-esteem unnecessary for fans.

Author

• Julia Kneer, Erasmus University Rotterdam