Date of Award
1-1-2023
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.A. in Psychology
First Advisor
Andrew H. Hales
Second Advisor
Carrie V. Smith
Third Advisor
Grace N. Rivera
Relational Format
dissertation/thesis
Abstract
Across three experiments, this work investigated whether the effectiveness of music on social exclusion recovery was greater than that of other distracting noises. I hypothesized that listening to music would be effective in improving needs satisfaction after instances of rejection (being explicitly disliked; Study 1) or ostracism (being ignored; Studies 2-3). Further, I examined whether this effectiveness was mediated by reduced rumination, increased emotional engagement (feeling moved by audio), and increased parasocial experiences (sense of one-sided psychological bonds). Ultimately, music was shown to be effective (albeit, relatively) in improving one’s needs when compared to a baseline condition. Additionally, listening to music was consistently shown to be similarly effective as other noises in reducing rumination. Although music and distraction conditions led to similar amounts of recovery in needs satisfaction, there were benefits specifically associated with music. Studies 1 (N = 250) and 2 (N = 131) suggest that music may offer greater emotional engagement. Study 3 (N = 561) indicates that when compared to baseline, the effects of both happy and sad music on needs satisfaction were mediated through reduced rumination and greater parasocial experiences. Findings provide insight into the use of music–particularly happy- or sad-sounding–as substitutes for social connection, suggesting that music impacts one’s needs through a mechanism other noise may not: parasocial experiences.
Recommended Citation
Wicks, Sydney G., "Distraction by any other name? The impact of music on social exclusion recovery" (2023). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 2777.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/etd/2777