Music and emotion are closely related

February 4th, 2011Blog, Extensive5 comments

In fact, all music. It can move, gay vote, opzwepen, sad or give goosebumps. Music can bring peace, but also in motion. It is known that music has a huge impact on humans has. Less well known what the exact effects of music.

There have been numerous studies done by psychologists, but it is music psychology, a relatively unknown territory and there are still many questions to be answered. Music can go against certain diseases or even cure? Can music a depressed person in a better mood? People feel better through music? In this blog, I stopped at a few points that have been studied more by music psychologists.

What is Music ?

Before I begin, of course, first comes the question 'what is music really "? An odd question, considering that everyone has there own answer. People feel attracted to all other music and therefore have different music. What one person likes another may again be labeled as noise. Yet there is a survey of professional. Paul Robertson that certain elements of music are universal. This is because the music is handled by our two hemispheres; harmonic tones are associated with emotions and nonverbal experiences and thus our right brain processes. False notes are processed by the left brain, our logical brain and verbal. We can if we prove the emotion "surprise" trials. If we listen to music, we create an expectation. We think we already know which note is coming. If this note then is replaced by a false note, We are surprised. The music is in fact different than you expected. In one study, there is a false note in other brain activity recorded, than one correct note.

Although every person has his own musical taste, So there are some universal elements to each person the same effect. Music is a very broad term, in fact, our whole environment of music. If we communicate, The meaning of words dominated by the sound of the voice, or the musicality. Music is a short piece of sound, which we have an emotional meaning.

Uiten van emoties

Often we are told that we should keep ourselves in check or that we not lose our composure. There are a lot of people proud of the fact that they hide their emotions to others. For the Indians it was even a requirement. Sometimes it is indeed wise to our emotions to make known to everyone, but it must eventually found an outlet for. If emotions are expressed, can lead to depression, fear or aggression. Music is a generally accepted means when it comes to expressing emotions. How often does it happen that we flutes, humming or drumming along to the music. Such statements indicate what mood we are.

Music coupled to periods

When I notice that I very much music flock to certain periods or events in my life. For a while I was awakened by the timer function of a stereo CD playback, I really did like it. The "awakening" is not something pleasant, So I still get an uneasy feeling when I set the CD. The same goes for another CD where all film music is on. This much I listened to my holiday in France. If I set the CD I still see images from the holiday for me. Memory plays an important role. It is remarkable that people get a good feeling when they hear a song they heard in their youth often have. This does not even have a song that you really like it, but the meaning that you have linked to it makes it something special. It's a kind of link to the "good old days'. They remind you of a time when emotions were intense and important. You give the song a personal meaning.

Filmmuziek

The music tries to get the most touching, the film. A movie without music is like a man without emotions. The music plays a very important role when it comes to achieving a certain effect. A horror film is much more exciting when you put music under threat. And so music can be a happier movie, dramatic, funnier and more impressive to. The music creates a certain atmosphere around a film. We often do not realize how important music half is a movie, that you notice when there is no music for a film is. Film music has seen roughly three functions. First, it can form a unity with the image. It creates a certain atmosphere and can create unity in a story. Second, the music supporting the film. In the form of mental support, the music makes sure that certain thoughts and emotions are emphasized. The third feature is that film can provide a contrast.

Film music is already well advanced in development to music with a certain effect to achieve. Composers know very well what music is to hear a particular scene. The Australian music psychologist Emery Schubert did a study of musical ingredients that anyone can make the most happy. Schubert developed a computer program in which participants could indicate how they felt when they listened to music. These data were translated into an animation of a face that is constantly adapted to the mood of the subject. Schubert found that especially the strength and loudness of a track a large effect on the subjects. The pace was less important. In theory it is possible by means of mathematical calculations to make a hit. Schubert does indicate that music is a complex and that some elements in music, where listeners can have different associations. He does not expect music soon on the basis of mathematical calculations will be.

Dark Music

We have already learned that music can be very frightening. But music can turn out to encourage; marches took care of soldiers, for example, that motivated them and braver in the battle were. Film music can make sure that you do not mind to see people die. Majestic music can dull. In the 80s of last century, more and more metal music. In Norway Øystein started the first 'black metal' band, Aarseth Mayem genaamd. The original concept of black metal music is primitive, raw and shrill music. It came to dressing up and a strong symbolism for a demonic and aggressive look to fend. The album, called on fans to the old tradition in Norway to restore, the Viking culture had to return. Christianity had before disappearing from Norway. The press took this emerging genre is not very serious, but from 1992 More than 40 churches in Norway in the ashes. The whole world knew exactly what black metal was. '92 Came from black metal to other countries and then began the first victims to fall. In trying to outdo each other, became followers of different bands came to blows.

The lyrics of rapper Eminem, many raised questions in people. To what extent can you blame the singer doing what their fans? A fan of Eminem had cruelly put to death a woman and this was inspired by music from the rapper. Christopher Duncan had committed the murder in a similar manner as in the video 'Stan' by Eminem was shown. There are many other similar cases. There is currently much research done.

Diseases counter

Besides this dark side of music, music according to researchers may also have medicinal properties. It affects the brains so that substances are created that can provide healing. An example can be found in the Bible (1 Samuel 16:14-23). Saul suffered from depression and could be appeased when David played the harp. A study out of Lombard 1887 showed that the human nervous system reacts to music. From other experiments it was clear that endocrine secretions more separated. To the endocrine system include the pituitary and thyroid. These glands provide the secretions (hormones) directly into the blood. Many diseases are caused by deficiencies in the secretions of endocrine glands. Music would ensure that more secretions produced by the body.

We leave the technical side as boating. Research shows that music is an effective agent against various diseases. Epilepsy, hysteria and many other nervous- and brain diseases were (partly) can be stopped by music. The memory could return to music. Cripple investigations muscles were reactivated and temporary insanity was banned. Florence Nightingale wrote vocal and instrumental music for her patients to bring them to heal from war neuroses. Different doctors use music successfully for insomnia patients to remove. Dr. Kravkov discovered that music with vision 25 percent could be improved. The subjects underwent a musical stimulus. They did their best and added by the extra effort they saw more.

Music reduces the release of the stress hormone cortisol which we can relax. It also activates the reward system in our brains that is active in sex, good food and the use of drugs such as heroin and cocaine. The reward we feel good. This explains why we so love to listen to music. Each part of the music is analyzed in a separate place. Later these parts back together. For example, rhythms are incorporated in the basal ganglia and the cerebellum. These areas are also involved in the preparation and coordination of movement. Rhythm and movement are so closely linked, Therefore, we often move and dance to the music.

Most doctors agree that music has a strong influence on the brains. From there, the music through the nervous system affect other body parts. In this way the functions of digestion, circulatory and respiratory influences. According to Dr.. Cutter this is because the brains music in a pleasant way deal, which the nervous system can go rampant. This is not yet proven. The fact is that music is the only art form where susceptible animals and idiots. Richard de la Prada discovered that music acts on your nervous system, independent of intelligence.

Music Therapy

Looking at the results of the studies mentioned above it is no wonder that music is used. Music Therapy (also called melon therapy) music used in the treatment of physical and mental disorders. There are 2 techniques to distinguish: The active technique in which one makes music itself and the method is receptive to music listening. "Music therapy is based on a number of principles', says Jennifer Zantopp:

Key – Music is memories of certain situations call. It works as a key to the memories. It is possible for music to set up positive memories in order to improve mood. Music that evokes negative memories, can be used to traumatic experiences. It makes it a bit loose with people who then talk about their problems.

Inherent - Music is automatically linked to a certain mood. We can assign an emotion to a song. This allows the emotions of patients studied.

Interaction - Making music together is also very important in music therapy. If you can make music together, You can listen to the other, cooperate and the other responding. These conditions are the conditions of daily life. Patients who can no verbal contact with other people, This can often be a musical level.

Movement - Music also attracts movement. Passive patients are forced to music to action.

Besides these principles, it is important that the therapist does with the music. He can be confrontational work, but also try the patient totally at ease. Music can provide access to verbal problems were not discussed. The music is growing evidence that music and emotion are close together.

The psychology of music is a very interesting area of ​​psychology. Because music and emotions are so close together, The enormous influence of music. More and more research into the healing power of music. It is also amazing to see how much influence music can have on the doings of people. I hope that with this blog the versatility of music and psychology have been able to demonstrate that it has become clear that music is an interesting field of psychology is, but also an area still largely to be explored.