The Effects of Music on Society

"Music is an important and extremely useful tool in the way we learn and to deny its power is a waste of a truly wonderful resource." Though not everyone may realize it, music is an important medium in our society. If anything it was the first. Music has shaped the way we think and perceive things since our little baby ears could first hear it. The article, which can be found here, argues that music has the capacity of both positive and negative effects. I concur with this statement one hundred percent because music is composed of feelings and emotions that can be new or old. Listening to bands from the emo genre or even the punk/pop-punk genre could definitely lower someone's mood to want to curl up into a ball and do nothing but sigh for the rest of the day. You wouldn't hear records from this genre at the mall because the mall would play Will Pharrell, One Direction, Taylor Swift, New Order, and Drake. The reason for this is because these are popular artists/groups who inspire good emotions into people. I know that whenever I listen to this music, I feel pretty good. And let's face it, I'll always clap along if I'm feeling like "a room without a roof." 
       Music has the potential to positively influence society. but the article also argues it can have a negative influence as well. "On the negative side, there are also correlations between promiscuous or violent music and destructive behavior." I'd have to disagree with the article because even though music with extreme lyrics and harsh instruments are associated with kids of malcontent, the music itself is not the sole reason the kids are like this. Music has an impact on our personalities, but the happiest person in the world could listen to Told Slant and still be extremely happy afterwards. 

Effects of Music on Society. (n.d.). Retrieved November 29, 2014, from http://www.teenink.com/college_guide/college_essays/article/300582/Effects-of-Music-on-Society/

How Music Defines You: What You Listen To Says Something About Yourself

      When people first meet, they like to get to know each other. They ask questions such as: "Are you a dog or a cat person? What do you plan on majoring in? What are your favorite foods?" Another common question is, "What kind of music do you listen to?" Why do we ask this question when we get to know people? A big reason would be to see if they listen to anything similar. However, why does it matter if they listen to the same things we do? Do we unconsciously feel that those who listen to the same music we do are more relatable? 

      "People do actually define themselves through music and relate to other people through it but we haven’t known in detail how music is connected to identity." We definitely feel this way. Why? Because what someone listens to says something about their personality. Someone who listens to classical music while they study is probably more concentrated, focused, and studious than someone who listens to heavy metal while they study. "People may define their musical identity by wearing particular clothes..." Someone who listens to country music would fine someone wearing a Kenny Chesney shirt more approachable than someone sporting some Odd Future attire. We assume people wearing Bob Marley shirts and Sublime wristbands are stoners. Why? People people that listen to this music tend to be more laid back and calm. I know if I someone walking down the street wearing a Rage Against the Machine or a Suicidal Tendencies t-shirt, I'd assume they'd be more willing to pick a fight than someone in a Kid Cudi shirt or someone wearing a Foxing hat. 

      Our musical preferences are tied to our identities. We may not realize it, but we listen to music that we can relate to. Why does someone who constantly feels sadness prefer to listen to Told Slant over Bruno Mars? Why does someone who is happy with themselves and life listen to Los Campesinos!? Because certain music appeals to different people with different personalities. No wonder we ask what our friends what their favorite artists/bands are. We want to know what kind of person they are. 

For more information on how music is tied to personality, click here.

Preferred Music Style Is Tied to Personality. (n.d.). Retrieved November 29, 2014, from http://psychcentral.com/lib/preferred-music-style-is-tied-to-personality/0001438