Summary: Researchers find that intense focus on music triggers powerful emotional responses with therapeutic benefits.
The study observed participants in the “Listen Up” experience by Indigo Project. Participants listened to music in a dimmed studio, resulting in a range of emotional reactions.
These deep musical immersions were not just mere enjoyment; they were seen as cathartic journeys leading to a serene state.
Key Facts:
- Deeply focusing on music can evoke a spectrum of emotions, both negative and positive.
- The “Listen Up” experience involves participants listening to music in a dimly lit studio for around 50 minutes.
- Participants described their immersive music sessions as cathartic, culminating in feelings of peace and calm.
Source: James Cook University
New research published in Musicae Scientiae reveals people who focus deeply on music can have strong emotional reactions—across the full range of emotions—that can have significant therapeutic benefits.
James Cook University psychology lecturer Dr. Amanda Krause led the study. She said most everyday music listening is accompanied by other activities and it is far less common that listening is someone’s primary activity, receiving most of their attention.
“But in the Listen Up experience, run by Indigo Project, a mental health organization in Sydney, people go into a studio where the lights are dimmed and they lie down on cushions and mats and listen to music for about 50 minutes,” said Dr. Krause.
The researchers interviewed nearly 190 participants and analyzed their responses.
JCU’s Dr. Madelyn Pardon, co-author of the study, said people experienced an increased mood and decreased levels of stress and arousal after taking part. But it was not simply a matter of people enjoying the music.
“We found people’s emotional responses across the range: negative, positive, evocative and expressive, and sad.
“Some people reported the experience as being emotionally challenging, therapeutic, and physically uncomfortable,” said Dr. Pardon.
The researchers said participants characterized their experiences as a cathartic journey resulting in a positive, peaceful, and calm state.
“Our research provides evidence for the emotional and mental health benefits of focused music listening. This type of listening is unusual in today’s music landscape and provides opportunities for meaningful experiences,” said Dr. Krause.
She said people may find they can better manage their own well-being by learning to use focused music listening techniques to complement their usual, everyday listening practices.
About this music and emotion research news
Author: Madelyn Pardon
Source: James Cook University
Contact: Madelyn Pardon – James Cook University
Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News
Original Research: Open access.
“Listen Up: A case study examination of focused listening” by Madelyn Pardon et al. Musicae Scientiae
Abstract
Listen Up: A case study examination of focused listening
Today, most everyday music listening is an accompaniment to other activities; it is far less common that listening is someone’s primary activity, receiving most of their attention. In this article, we present a case study, Listen Up, run by Indigo Project, a mental health organization in Sydney, Australia, in which we explored relationships between participants’ responses to the experience and their demographics and styles of music engagement.
A sample of 187 Australian residents (aged 20–64 years) who attended Listen Up completed a survey measuring music engagement; emotional responses to the experience; perceived outcomes of the session; pre- and post-measures of stress, mood, and anxiety; and free-text responses to questions concerning their experiences of listening mindfully and any thoughts or feelings that arose during the session.
Participants experienced an increased mood and decreased levels of stress and arousal after taking part in Listen Up. Their focused-listening experiences were not simply characterized by enjoying the music; rather, the emotions evoked were varied and complex.
We characterized their emotional responses as negative, positive, evocative and expressive, and sad; in addition, participants characterized their own experiences as a cathartic journey resolving into a positive, peaceful, and calm state.
Reported outcomes of participating in Listen Up included experiences described as being emotionally challenging, therapeutic, and physically uncomfortable. An affective music engagement style was positively associated with evocative and expressive and sad emotional experiences, and therapeutic outcomes.
As a focused-listening experience, Listen Up provides participants with the opportunity not only to attend to music but also to reflect on and process their personal thoughts and feelings.
This research provides evidence for the emotional and mental health benefits of focused music listening, such that, focused listening reflects opportunities for strong experiences with music in today’s listening landscape.