Music and Mixed Emotions: A Global Study on How We Feel While Listening
A new study explores the complex emotional landscape of music listening, finding that our personal traits and cultural backgrounds play a key role in how we experience both joy and sadness from the same song.
Research Overview
A study published in the journal Research in Personality investigated how common it is to experience both positive and negative emotions while listening to music. Researchers Margarida Baltazar, Iballa Burunat, and Suvi Saarikallio from the Centre of Excellence in Music, Mind, Body and Brain collected data from 2,137 participants across 84 countries.
Method
Participants selected a personally meaningful song and rated how strongly they felt each emotion while listening. They also reported how often they used music for purposes such as reminiscing, shaping identity, and regulating emotions.
Key Findings
- Music used to evoke emotions, experience conveyed emotions, and express identity tended to elicit more mixed emotions.
- Music used for emotion regulation and distraction elicited fewer mixed emotions.
- Mixed emotions were more common among younger people, individuals with strong and changing emotions, and those preferring spontaneity and flexibility.
- Mixed emotions were also more frequent among individuals who value independence, goals, and achievements while accepting differences in status and success.
- Cultural orientation influenced music use patterns, leading to richer emotional experiences.
"Mixed emotions were more common among younger people, individuals with strong and changing emotions, and those preferring spontaneity and flexibility."
Conclusion
The study highlights that individual differences in age, personality, and cultural orientation shape musical emotions, with meaningful songs evoking more complex emotions.