'Beautiful but sad' music can help people feel better

Date:
February 19, 2014
Source:
University of Kent
Summary:
Music that is felt to be 'beautiful but sad' can help people feel better when they're feeling
blue, new research concludes. The research investigated the effects of what the researchers
described as Self-Identified Sad Music (SISM) on people's moods, paying particular attention to
their reasons for choosing a particular piece of music when they were experiencing sadness --
and the effect it had on them. The results showed that if an individual has intended to achieve
mood enhancement through listening to 'sad' music, this was in fact often achieved by first
thinking about their situation or being distracted, rather than directly through listening to the
music chosen.
w research from psychologists at the universities of Kent and Limerick has
found that music that is felt to be 'beautiful but sad' can help people feel better when
they're feeling blue.
The research investigated the effects of what the researchers described as Self-Identified Sad
Music (SISM) on people's moods, paying particular attention to their reasons for choosing a
particular piece of music when they were experiencing sadness -- and the effect it had on them.
The study identified a number of motives for sad people to select a particular piece of music
they perceive as 'sad', but found that in some cases their goal in listening is not necessarily to
enhance mood. In fact, choosing music identified as 'beautiful' was the only strategy that directly
predicted mood enhancement, the researchers found.
In the research, 220 people were asked to recall an adverse emotional event they had
experienced, and the music they listened to afterwards which they felt portrayed sadness. It
followed earlier research from the same team that identified that people do choose to listen to
sad music when they're feeling sad.
Dr Annemieke van den Tol, Lecturer in Social Psychology at Kent's School of Psychology,
explained that the study found that among the factors influencing music choice were its memory
triggers for a particular event or time; its perceived high aesthetic value -- which involves
selecting music that the person considers to be beautiful; and music that conveys a particular
message.
She said: 'We found in our research that people's music choice is linked to the individual's own
expectations forlistening to music and its effects on them.
'The results showed that if an individual has intended to achieve mood enhancement through
listening to 'sad' music, this was in fact often achieved by first thinking about their situation or
being distracted, rather than directly through listening to the music chosen.
'Indeed, where respondents indicated they had chosen music with the intention of triggering
memories, this had a negative impact on creating a better mood. The only selection strategy
that was found to directly predict mood enhancement was where the music was perceived by
the listener to have high aesthetic value.'
The research, titled "Listening to sad music in adverse situations: How music selection
strategies relate to self-regulatory goals, listening effects and mood enhancement" is published
in the Psychology of Music.

Story Source:
The above story is based on materials provided by University of Kent. Note: Materials may be
edited for content and length.

Journal Reference:
1. A. J. M. Van den Tol, J. Edwards. Listening to sad music in adverse situations: How
music selection strategies relate to self-regulatory goals, listening effects, and mood
enhancement. Psychology of Music, 2014; DOI:10.1177/0305735613517410

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University of Kent. "'Beautiful but sad' music can help people feel better." ScienceDaily.
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Making music may improve young children's behavior'
Date:
September 5, 2013
Source:
British Psychological Society (BPS)
Summary:
Making music can improve both pro-social behavior (voluntary behavior intended to benefit
another) and the problem solving skills of young children according to a new study. Building on
existing research which found that making music significantly improves pro-social behavior in
young children) the current study investigated not only the potential effects of music making
(singing or playing an instrument) on pro-sociability but also its effects on problem-solving and
whether there was a difference between boys and girls.
king music can improve both pro-social behaviour (voluntary behaviour intended to
benefit another) and the problem solving skills of young children according to a new
study.
Building on existing research (Kirschner and Tomasello in 20102) which found that making
music significantly improves pro-social behaviour in young children) the current study
investigated not only the potential effects of music making (singing or playing an instrument) on
pro-sociability but also its effects on problem-solving and whether there was a difference
between boys and girls.
The study, carried out by undergraduate student, Rie Davies, and academics Dr Maddie Ohl
and Dr Anne Manyande from the School of Psychology at the University of West London,
explored the pro-sociability, co-operation and problem-solving abilities of 24 girls and 24 boys
aged four.
The children in the study were randomly assigned to either a 'Music' Group (Group 1) or a 'No
Music' Group (Group 2). Children in Group 1 (Music) sang and played the percussion bullfrog
and children in Group 2 (No Music) listened to a story. These sequences were then followed by
two games a 'Co-operation' game and a 'Helping' game. The children's problem solving ability
was tested by observing their reactions during the 'Helping' game.
Music improved helpfulness for both girls and boys with children in the 'Music' group over thirty
times more likely to help than those in the 'No Music' group. Girls were over twenty times more
likely to help than boys. Making music was also shown to improve co-operation among all the
children in the 'Music Group' who were six times more likely to co-operate than those in the 'No
Music' Group. Once again girls were even more likely to co-operate after music making than
boys. Boys in the 'Music' Group were also four times more likely to problem solve.
Rie Davies said: "This study provides support for prior research by Kirschner and Tomasello
(2010)1 and also highlights the need for schools and parents to understand the important role
music making has in children's lives in terms of social bonding and helping behaviours. Music
making in class, particularly singing, may encourage pupils with learning differences and
emotional difficulties to feel less alienated in the school environment."

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The above story is based on materials provided by British Psychological Society
(BPS). Note: Materials may be edited for content and length.

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Music as therapeutic intervention can relieve anxiety,
depression in older people
Date:
February 25, 2014
Source:
RCN Publishing Company
Summary:
Using music and singing in health care can improve quality of life for older people by easing
pain, anxiety and depression. A literature review of articles related to anxiety and the use of
music as a therapy for people over the age of 65 found it has a positive influence on wellbeing
by providing enjoyment, social interaction, improved memory and social inclusion.

ing music and singing in health care can improve quality of life for older people by
easing pain, anxiety and depression.
According to an article published in Mental Health Practice, the practices can be easily and
effectively used as therapeutic nursing interventions.
A literature review of articles related to anxiety and the use of music as a therapy for people
over the age of 65 found it has a positive influence on wellbeing by providing enjoyment, social
interaction, improved memory and social inclusion.
It also reduces anxiety and confusion in people with dementia, improving their quality of life, and
is beneficial psychologically and physiologically when used in clinical settings.
The author of the review states it is easy to incorporate music and singing into nursing practice,
as they are widely available, inexpensive and non-controversial, with minimal ethical, legal or
cultural concerns.
She concludes: 'Listening to music and/or singing represent a safe, evidence-based nursing
intervention, and staff should be encouraged to study and use it.'
Further research into the use of music and similar group activities for other client groups,
diagnoses and conditions, as well as the duration of positive effects, should also be conducted,
she adds.

Story Source:
The above story is based on materials provided by RCN Publishing Company. Note: Materials
may be edited for content and length.

Journal Reference:
1. Karen Eells. The use of music and singing to help manage anxiety in older
adults. Mental Health Practice, 2014; 17 (5): 10 DOI:10.7748/mhp2014.02.17.5.10.e861

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RCN Publishing Company. "Music as therapeutic intervention can relieve anxiety, depression in
older people." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 25 February 2014.
<www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/02/140225122324.htm>.