NCJ Number
247393
Journal
Aggression and Violent Behavior Volume: 19 Issue: 3 Dated: May/June 2014 Pages: 207-218
Date Published
June 2014
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This article presents a review of literature examining the effect that music has on behavior.
Abstract
A systematic review of seven databases (APA PsycNET, EBSCO, Google Scholar, ProQuest, Sage Journals, ScienceDirect (Elsevier), and the Wiley Online Library) was conducted in to identify studies examining the effects that certain genres of music have on behavior, cognition, and emotion. The final review identified 92 studies that fit the criteria for inclusion in this discussion. The various studies looked at the effect that certain genres of music have on behavior, more specifically whether "problem music" reinforced negative behaviors such as aggression and delinquency. The problem music included alternative rock, hard rock, heavy metal, hip-hop/rap, punk rock, rock, and trance/house/electronic/techno music. The literature review found that while a positive correlation was found between problem music and negative behaviors such as substance abuse, rebelliousness, and delinquency, listening to problem music also had positive influences in personal, interpersonal, and subcultural dimensions. The studies also revealed that problem music can serve a dual function in identify formation and distinction among adolescents in terms of separating from one's family while at the same time developing relationships with peers. Additional research on the positive effects of problem music is discussed. Tables and references