Zachary Jiang

Abstract: Currently, there is a lack of knowledge surrounding how cultural differences in music specifically affect human participants. While previous research had explored cultural authenticity and how it impacts plot direction, no study has analyzed the effects on actual human participants. As such, there is a lack of justification for cultural authenticity when it applies to white-dominant communities. Data was collected through an online survey format that presented a clip from a Studio Ghibli, or Japanese, movie, and one from a Pixar, or Western, movie, which had their musical scores swapped to make four distinct clips. Questions about emotions experienced throughout the course of each clip were asked. Additionally, a short content analysis was conducted to confirm the findings of previous studies concerning specific differences in the music. Ultimately, it was found that the Studio Ghibli score correlates with a higher overall sadness while familiarity with the plot provides similar effects.

Key words: music, culture, Studio Ghibli, Pixar, cultural authenticity