Why is this research being conducted?

Previous research suggests that our identity and the music we consume may be closely connected1,2. In the previous study, listening to a favourite or familiar song was found to improve mood but did not affect identity. Therefore, further research is needed to explore the mechanism that may underlie this effect (e.g., nostalgia) and to investigate different aspects of identity, such as self-esteem, self-concept clarity, or self-certainty.

How was this investigated?

The study distributed an anonymous online questionnaire.

Participants answered questions about music genre preference (STOMP-R)3, favourite songs, and mood (visual analogue mood scale)4.

Participants then listened to either their favourite song, a song likely to be familiar from their early adulthood, or an unfamiliar song.

Participants then answered questions about mood4, identity5 , and nostalgia6.

How many people took part?

252 people completed the questionnaire and were split equally across the three conditions (favourite song, familiar song, or unfamiliar song).

The participants' ages ranged from 20 to 79 (M = 47.12, SD = 16.42).

There were 121 males and 131 females.

What are the preliminary findings?

Listening to a favourite or familiar song significantly improved mood. However, this effect was greatest when listening to a favourite song.
Listening to an unfamiliar song significantly decreased mood.
Listening to different types of songs had no effect on identity.
The relationship between mood and song condition was mediated by nostalgia.

What can we conclude?

Listening to a favourite song significantly improves mood compared to listening to a familiar or unfamiliar song, and this relationship is mediated by nostalgia.

What's next?

Next this design will be replicated with a sample of brain injury participants to see if listening to a favourite song could help imrpove mood during rehabiliation.

References

MacDonald, R., & Saarikallio, S. (2022). Musical identities in action: Embodied, situated, and dynamic. Musicae Scientiae, 26(4), 729-745.
DeNora, T. (1999). Music as a technology of the self. Poetics, 27(1), 31-56.
Rentfrow, P. J., & Gosling, S. D. (2003). The do re mi’s of everyday life: The structure and personality correlates of music preferences. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84, 1236-1256.
Machado, L., Thompson, L.M., and Brett, C.H.R. (2019). Visual analogue mood scale scores in healthy young versus older adults. International Psychogeriatrics, 31(3),417-424.
Rathbone, C. J., & Moulin, C. J. A. (2024). Understanding the relationship between self and memory through the IAM task. Memory, 32(6), 803–818.
Routledge, C., Arndt, J., Sedikides, C., & Wildshut, T. (2008). Southampton Nostalgia Scale (SNS) [Database record]. APA PsycTests.

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