Music’s Effect on Aggression: Analysis of Aggression Following Music Exposure Through a Lexical Decision Task

• In Event: Children, Adolescents, and Media: Research Escalator 1

Abstract

Considering the various themes conveyed in music today, especially in regards to aggressive music, the connection between music content and implicit/explicit impacts exposure to such music is quite underdeveloped. This study analyzes the effect of aggressive music on implicit and explicit aggression. Fifty-six undergraduate students listened to music excerpts from one of four different genres and completed a priming exercise following this exposure. Results showed that participants were not implicitly primed for aggression following exposure to aggressive music, nor were they found to record higher amounts of aggression following aggressing music exposure. Discussion revolves around potential reasoning as to why results reported in this study contradict previous findings. Specifically, the required duration of music exposure necessary to evoke an emotional response is emphasized, further highlighting interdisciplinary connections between this and other disciplines.

Author

• Lucas Youngvorst, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities