Using music to induce emotions: Influences of musical preference
and absorption
Psychology of Music, 36 (1):
101-126 (2008)DOI: 10.1177/0305735607082623
Abstract
The present research addresses the induction of emotion during music
listening in adults using categorical and dimensional theories of
emotion as background. It further explores the influences of musical
preference and absorption trait on induced emotion. Twenty-five excerpts
of classical music representing `happiness', `sadness', `fear', `anger'
and `peace' were presented individually to 99 adult participants.
Participants rated the intensity of felt emotions as well as the
pleasantness and arousal induced by each excerpt. Mean intensity
ratings of target emotions were highest for 20 out of 25 excerpts.
Pleasantness and arousal ratings led to three main clusters within
the two-dimensional circumplex space. Preference for classical music
significantly influenced specificity and intensity ratings across
categories. Absorption trait significantly correlated with arousal
ratings only. In sum, instrumental music appears effective for the
induction of basic emotions in adult listeners. However, careful
screening of participants in terms of their musical preferences should
be mandatory.
Description
Using music to induce emotions: Influences of musical preference and
absorption -- Kreutz et al. 36 (1): 101 -- Psychology of Music
