MUSIC AFFECTING THE MOOD SWINGS OF HUMAN

BEINGS

Partial fulfillment of Masters Dissertation in the

Faculty of Business Studies
in year 2016-2017

SUBMITTED BY:

SUPERVISOR:

Diksha Thakur

Dr Disha Khanna

MBA(2 SEM)

Associate Professor

GU-2015-3201

Faculty of Languages

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

My gratitude to all those people who have made this dissertation possible. Heres thanking all
those who helped me with this THESIS:
I express my special thanks to my mentor Dr. Disha Khanna.
I would like to acknowledge and thank my university for giving me such a huge opportunity to
fulfil my goals.
My father Bhajan singh and my mother Sulekha thakur.
Their feedback is invaluable.
Friend who make life worthwhile and transformed my vision Shalu Sharma.
Those who helped me at various stages of conceptualizing,
research and editingAmanpreet kaur,Dilraj singh.
My folks at lead start Ashpinder and Karan ,for good wishes
The numberless documentaries,books,movies,periodicals,t.v.shows,newspapers,web sources and
my music collection that egged me on to imagine;
Thank you.

ABSTRACT
This Research was conducted to find out if music can alter the moods and temporary dispositions
of humans . Testing was done by asking participants to take part in a survey.
The scientific study of the brain has become an essential endeavor in understanding human life.
Music has been found to have profound effect on the brain.Music is powerful. It has the potential
to evoke emotions and personality. Music listening has been suggested to beneficially impact
health via stress-reducing effects.
Music is able to affect your mood -- listening to particularly happy or sad music can even
change the way we perceive the world, according to new research.
Music and mood are closely interrelated -- listening to a sad or happy song on the radio can make
you feel more sad or happy. However, such mood changes not only affect how you feel, they also
change your perception. For example, people will recognize happy faces if they are feeling
happy themselves.The findings may help better understanding the beneficial effects of music on the
human body.
KEWORDS: Music preference,Mood swings,Better life,Music Addiction.

DEDICATION

This thesis is dedicated

to my beloved mother
Ms Sulekha Thakur.

TABLE OF CONTENT

Sr.no.

PARTICULARS

PAGE NO.

1.

CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION

6-15

2.

CHAPTER 2
QUESTIONNAIRE

16-18

3.

CHAPTER 3
DATA ANALYSIS & INTERPRETATION

19-24

4.

CHAPTER 4
CONCLUSION

25-26

BIBLIOGRAPHY

27

INTRODUCTION

Music is an art of sound in time that expresses ideas and emotions in significant forms through
the elements of rhythm, melody, harmony, and color.Music can change a persons mood in
few seconds.Even though most people believe that motivating music will motivate
the person who listens to them still there are certain points that if were not taken
into consideration then the motivating music will have no good impact on the
persons mood or can even have a negative impact!!

Did you ever asked yourself why do you sometimes listen to the same music that used to
motivate you without being motivated? Have you ever asked yourself why does the same
musical track impact you differently when you listen to it at different times?
How Music Can Affect a Person's Mood
Music is a past time, a hobby, and a passion. The claim that music can influence a person's
mood makes perfect sense. Music can actually affect a person's behavior and mood. It can
influence, for example, the length of time that one chooses to spend in a mall. Stores that target
older shoppers might play "elevator type music at a lower volume, while stores that target a
younger age group look for more upbeat music played at a higher volume. This can then enhance
the shoppers to spend more money in that store. If music didn't affect a person's mood, they
would play the same music in every store, or none at all.Music also has the power to strengthen
or weaken emotions from an event such as a funeral.
Music affects different people in different ways. Therefore, music affects all people. Hearing a
certain song usually triggers a certain emotion linked to that song. Some of the emotions are
derived from experiences, others from daydreams. For example memories of a time when you
had a relative pass away or when you graduated high school. All of these specific and
monumental events in your life are brought back to you when you listen to a certain song or type
of music. The sensations that come from listening to music can cause very extreme and powerful
changes in one's emotional state.
6

Music Changes Your Mood

Are you sad, depressed, or anxious maybe? You will be glad to know that you can chase all
the blues away just by listening to your favorite music. Considered as a natural antidepressant,
music can give you the euphoric high that antidepressant medications can bring. So if you are
looking for a great way to end your crappy day, read on to learn more about how music can uplift
your mood almost instantly.

Music Affects the Brain

Music is known to tap into various parts of the brain, that is why it is utilized by many experts
in treating depressed or anxious patients. The meter, timber, rhythm and pitch of music are
managed in areas of the brain that deal with emotions and mood. These key areas are the
hippocampus, prefrontal cortex and the parietal lobe.
The hippocampus, a structure of the limbic system, is responsible for spatial orientation,
navigation and the consolidation of new memories. It also brings about emotional responses. The
prefrontal cortex, on the other hand, manages extreme impulses and emotions. Known as the
seat of good judgment, it enables one to make good and acceptable calls so that inappropriate
behaviors are prevented.
As for the parietal lobe, it is in charge of spatial orientation, information processing and
cognition, affects many others.Because of its ability to alter the different parts of the brain, music
has been utilized in a number of therapies. For example, it has been applied to stroke victims to
teach them how to talk once again. At the same time, it is recommended to stutterers so that they
can dictate words clearly once again. Since it reaches the emotion-related barriers too, music is
now being utilized as a mood-altering therapy for depressed and anxious individuals.

Music Uplifts Your Mood

Whenever you are feeling down and blue, music can get you out of the dumps literally. Here
are ways on how music can help improve your mood:

Music can make you happy.

A lot of people turn to upbeat music whenever they feel sad or depressed, and it comes as no
surprise why it is a viable solution for people feeling blue. For several years, music has made a
lot of individuals happy. Thats because soothing tunes foster the release of serotonin, a hormone
that fosters happiness and a general sense of well-being. It also flushes the body with dopamine a
neurotransmitter that makes you feel good. Music also paves the way for the release of
norepinephrine, a hormone that brings about euphoria and elation.With all the hormones that
flood the body with happy thoughts, you do not have to purchase expensive anti-depressant
medications just to feel better.

Music can motivate you.

Songs with positive messages, such as Eye of the Tiger by Survivor and Stronger by
Kelly Clarkson are filled with inspirational meanings that can truly uplift your mood. The
messages that are embedded in such songs plus the euphoria that comes with singing these
tunes can motivate you to brush yourself up and try again.
Whenever you are feeling down in the dumps, listening (even singing) to I Will Survive at
the top of your lungs can give you the strength and motivation to pick yourself up.

 Music can reduce your stresses.

Are work-related stresses making you feel sad and anxious? A great way to relieve the
tensions that bring you down is to listen to music. Soothing tunes can help relax your tensed
muscles, as well as pace down your breathing rate. With these physiologic changes, you can
eliminate the stresses that can make you cranky and moody.

Music can change your perception.

Even if a thing that saddens you is not present in front you, it can make you feel down for the
days to come especially if you let it get to you. But if you want to enjoy a more positive view
in life, then what you need to do is listen to your favorite tunes.
A study conducted by experts from the University of Groningen shows that people enjoy a
happier perception when they listen to lively music. So if you want to drown all the depression
away, crank up the radio and expect your perception to be changed at least for the better.

Music can modify your brain waves.

Music does not only change your present disposition, it can alter your future mood as well.
Even if you turn that iPod off, the music that you just listened to can significantly change your
brain waves. That means a positive mood for the hours (even days) to come.
Music is a safe and cheap way to improve your mood. And with a better disposition, you can
have a better life.
B
e
t
t
e
r
L
i
f
e

B e t t e r M u s ic

B e tte r M o o d

Music. It makes us smile; it excites us and makes us dance; it brings us to tears. A simple
piece can bring back a memory in full relief; we actually feel were there. And it can change our
mood within minutes or instantaneously.Just how does music affect our mood? And how can
we use music and rhythms to experience a better, more fulfilling life?

Sound, Experience and Emotion

According to researchers, music affects our mood in a variety of ways. But at the base of the
phenomenon is rhythm and tone.When we listen to a rhythm, our heart actually begins to synch
with it. A slow heartbeat with a strong diastolic pressure tells our brain that something sad or
depressing is occurring. Very fast beating is obviously related to excitement, whereas a dreamy
rhythm with occasional upbeats can signify love or joy.
Tones are equally important as rhythm. A major key music piece signifies cheerful
communication to our brain, while minor key pieces closely mirror the sighs and soft keenings
of lamentation.This all has a powerful effect on our brain, which directs our psyche to actually
feel whats being communicated to us.

Research and New Information

Of course, its not all that simple and researchers all over the world are heavy on the trail of
just how, and how much, music can create mood changes in the listener.
For instance, University of Missouri scientists found that under certain conditions, music can
lift a listeners general mood and increase happiness in just two weeks. In two studies authored
by Yuna Ferguson, the effect was both self-directed and psychological: participants were told to
try to feel happier while either listening to upbeat or neutral music. The upbeat tune listeners
came out on top as far as overall impressions of happiness.Such music therapy also revealed
cheer in the process, not just the result. Rather than focusing on how much happiness theyve
gainedpeople could focus more on enjoying their experience of the journey towards happiness
and not get hung up on the destination, Ferguson noted.

10

Making Music Work For You and Your Mood

So how can you take advantage of the mood-boosting benefits of music? Here are some
practical tips:
Listen to upbeat music in the morning.
Hormones related to that get up and go you feel in the morning begin to peak at around
breakfast-time. Encourage this activity, along with your brains response to it, by putting on
some light, easy and cheery music shortly after you awaken each morning.
Decrease your anxiety with soothing music and meditation.
Anxiety and sadness/depression often go hand in hand, feeding on one another to lower your
mood. Set aside time each day to meditate to soothing music, such as classical music, soft rock,
MP3s of wind chimes, wind or soft tones.
Choose directed tones.
Pioneers in the field of music, tones and mood are creating more and more pieces aimed at
not only speaking to the brain, but actually directing it to achieve changes youd like to feel. One
example of such pieces is the science of binaural beats, or tones played in each ear individually.
These produce rhythms that the brain automatically begins to follow, creating the mood you
want.
Give yourself breaks between listening and not listening to music.

11

Its fun to have music on as a background all day, but in the initial stages of training your
brain to respond happily, you want it to sense a definite distinction between your therapeutic
tones time and downtime.
Dont overdo it on fast music or hard rock.
As fun as hard rock is, dont listen to it non-stop. Eventually the quickened heart beat
response will begin to produce a vague message of anxiety to your brain. Do keep listening to the
tunes you love, but save them for when you really want to get up and dance.Rhythm and tone can
have a definite impact on your happiness and on your life. Listen to the right set of tones and
you can begin to feel the effects more quickly than youd ever dreamed.
New research shows that listening to music can lift (or reinforce) your mood and ultimately
lead to a greater quality of life.
The popularity of music festivals and online sites like Spotify and Pandora shows just how
much music is part of our culture, but researchers continue to find that music can also be an
integral part of our health.Scientists at the University of Missouri have found that people can
boost their mood simply by listening to upbeat music.
Our work provides support for what many people already dolisten to music to improve
their moods, said lead author Yuna Ferguson in a press release. Although pursuing personal
happiness may be thought of as a self-centered venture, research suggests that happiness relates
to a higher probability of socially beneficial behavior, better physical health, higher income, and
greater relationship satisfaction.People can successfully improve their moods and boost their
overall happiness in just two weeks, according to Ferguson's research, published in The Journal
of Positive Psychology.
In the study, participants improved their mood after being told to try to do so, but they only
succeeded when they listened to the upbeat music of Copland, as opposed to the sadder tunes of
Stravinsky. Other participants, who simply listened to the music without attempting to change
their mood, didn't report an increase in happiness.For people to put the research into practice,
however, they should be wary of too much introspection into their mood or constantly asking,
Am I happy yet? Ferguson added.
"People could focus more on enjoying their experience of the journey towards happiness and
not get hung up on the destination," Ferguson said.But music isnt just good for elevating our
mood. Another recent study published in the Journal of Consumer Research found that people
who are going through break-ups or having relationship problems prefer music and experiences
that reflect their negative mood.

12

One study showed that the preference for sad music was significantly higher when people
experienced an interpersonal loss as opposed to an impersonal loss, such as losing a game.
In another study, people were presented with various frustrating situations and asked to rate
angry music versus joyful or relaxing music. Consumers liked angry music more when they were
frustrated by interpersonal violations, like being stood up on a date, than by impersonal hassles,
like not having Internet access.

Music As Therapy
This music research aligns with the larger arena of music therapy, defined by the American
Music Therapy Association as "the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to
accomplish individualized goals."Music therapy has been used for centuries as a way to restore
energy, improve mood, and even help the body heal more naturally.
Dr. Frank Lipman, founder and director of Eleven-Eleven Wellness Center in New York City
and a pioneer in integrative and functional medicine, recommends musical time-outs as a way to
calm your body and brain with soothing rhythms and to slow down your heart rate and help you
breathe easier.

13

Objectives of the study:

1. To know the impact of music among humans mood.
2. To know how much music can satisfy the emotions in people life.

Research Methodology:
This represents that method used to collect data to check the impact of music on moods of
people.

Research design:
A research design is a procedure used to gather data, analyze data, interpret results and
disseminate the findings. Research design can be qualitative, mixed method (qualitative and
quantitative) and the quantitative design. Qualitative design is a research design that is subjective
and involves a naturalistic and interpretive approach where data is normally gathered using
interviews to generate qualitative data. Quantitative design is objective and normally involves
gathering quantitative data in the form of numbers. The research design here is both qualitative
and quantitative. It is Qualitative as it includes survey with people and quantitative as most of the
response are in number.

Sample size:
The sample size of this report is 20 respondents.

14

Type of data:
There are generally two types of data primary and secondary data. The data here used is both
primary and secondary. Primary data is that data which is collected for first time so here
questionnaire are filled by sample so as to collect information. Secondary data refers to data that
was collected by someone other than the user; here the secondary data is collected from internet.

Method of Data collection:

The main method of data collection used here is questionnaire method. Questionnaire is a set
of printed or written questions with a choice of answers, devised for the purposes of a survey or
statistical study.

15

CHAPTER 2

16

QUESTIONNAIRE (Music affecting the mood swings of human beings)

I am conducting a survey in the form of a quiz for my Technical writting class. I want to see the
effects of music on humans. I thought the best way would be to get a range of people to answer
these questions to help with my research.
It is just a few questions and will help me immensely! I appreciate everyone helping!
Created by:Diksha Thakur (MBA)
1.Name
2. Gender
3. Age

Below 19 years
20-25 years
26-30 years
31-35 years
36-40 years
Above 41 years

4. Do you like to listen music?

Yes

No

5. Do you prefer to listen music ?

Daily
Weekly
Monthly
Yearly
Ocassionly

6. How often do you listen to music in a day?

1-2 hours

17

2-4 hours

I never stop listening

7. What type of music do you most listen ? Rank them (1to7).

1

Classical
Rock
Rap
Romantic
Sufi
Devotiona
l
Sad
8. Does the music that you listen to affect your mood? Example: rap music could make you
angry.
Yes

No

9. In your opinion, are you going to feel happier after listening to a song about love?
Yes

No

Emotions/Feelings are not directly to songs

10. Answers below questions

Strongly
agree

Agre
e

Neutra
l

Disagre
e

Strongly
disagree

You can survive without music

Music helps you to reduce your stress?
Listen to music while studying is effective?

Music is a mood changer to you?

11. How much % does the ?
0-20%

21-40%

Lyrics of a song affect your overall mood

Music remind you of emotional memories
Music inspires you

12. What strikes in your mind when you hear word "Music" ?

18

41-60%

61-80%

81100%

CHAPTER 3

19

Analysis & Interpretation

The survey brings following evaluations:
The respondents were more participative under ager 20-25 years as compares with other age
groups
FIGURE 1. AGE OF RESPONDENTS

AGE
less than 19 years

20-25 years

26-30 years

31-35 years
6%5%

15%

74%

The ratio of female was lower than male respondents because they shy to show their feelings to
world.
FIGURE 2. GENDER

20

GENDER

FEMALE

GENDER

MALE

10

12

Q1.Do you prefer to listen music ?

FIGURE 3.

LISTENING
20
15

LISTENING

10
5
0
DAILY

WEEKLY

MONTHLY

The aggregate of number of respondents listen music on daily basis .It means music has been
become their routine life.

Q2.What type of music do you most listen ?

FIGURE 4

21

TYPE OF MUSIC
ROMANTIC; 21%CLASSICAL; 16%
ROCK; 11%

SAD; 53%

The sad songs are more preferred to listen rathen than other variety of songs because respondents
gets emotionally attach while listening sad music.

Q3.Does the music that you listen to affect your mood? Example: rap music could
make you angry.
FIGURE 5

Chart
NO
YES
0

10

12

14

16

Chart

The respondents seems to be more favourable to this question they are agree that music affect
their mood with its tone.

22

Q4.In your opinion, are you going to feel happier after listening to a song
about love?
FIGURE 6.
YES
NO
Emotions/Feelings are not directly
to songs

76%
14%
10%

Q5.Answers below questions

FIGURE 7.

you can survive without music

music helps you to reduce
stress
listen to music while studying
is effective
music is a mood changer to
you

Q6.How much % does the ?

23

strongl
neutra
y agree agree l
14
6
10

16

disagr
ee

strong
ly
disagr
ee

FIGURE 8.
0-20%
lyrics affect your overall mood
music remind you of emotional
memories
music inspires you
music is addiction to u

Sample size 20 Respondents

Collection of data Primary data

24

2140%

4160%

5
3

618180%
100%
1
15
4

4
1

4
11
10

16
6

Main findings of the report are:

MUSIC helps to set mood and enhance action as well as emotion of scenes. Scientists study
says that music does effects on our brains and bodies.
A study results on how different types of music cause different reactions,enforcing the need to
respect the people music preferance.
The people under age (20-25) are more influenced to listen music on daily basis atleast for 3
-4 hours in a day.During survey every respondent said that they like to listen music it means
there was not even a single person who answered no to listen music.
If it comes to type of music then romantic songs are more liked as compare with
sad,devotional,rap songs etc. Romantic songs help to change the mood of people and make them
more emotional.
(71%) respondents answered that music directly affect their moods.If the sad song played then
their mood also become gloomy and rap songs make them energetic with its hard music.
Music has become like a life to some people they can not afford to survive without music
even a single minute. Music works as a oxygen to them which shows how much addicted are
they .
Someone answered that music inspire them to do their work and help them to concenterate
strongly. Students are used to listen music while studying.
The only positive wibes are found towards music. Music do not harm people instead it makes
them more comfortable .

25

CHAPTER 4

26

CONCLUSION
It has been observed that because of our unique experiences, we develop different musical tastes
and preferences. Despite these differences, there are some common responses to music. Youth
love sad songs as well as romantic songs. Certain kinds of music make almost everyone feel bad
with its lyrics and take them to emotional memories. In a study adults and teenagers who listened
to different kinds of music it leads to sadness, tension, and fatigue across the entire group.
In another study, college students reported that pop, rock, oldies, and classical music helped
them feel happier and more optimistic, friendly, relaxed, and calm. Many people listen to
soothing music to help them fall asleep. This practice is supported by studies in a variety of
settings.
Knowing that certain kinds of music can alleviate stress is one thing; being mindful in
choosing what kind of music to listen to is another. Choose your musical intake as carefully as
you choose your food and friends.
It was really a good experience to meet new personalities with their
different point of views regarding music.But aggregate it is found in every
respondent that music is loved by them,only the type of music is
differentiated.
Music do swings the mood of human brains whether it is sad or romantic
music but they find peace in listening music.

27

BIBLIOGRAPHY
http://www.sfu.ca/~jcnesbit/HowToWriteAbstract.html
http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.176.2371&rep=rep1&type
http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.00701567
https://www.google.co.in/search?sclient=psyab&biw=1366&bih=639&noj=1&q=questionnaire+samples+on+effect+of+music
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/emotional-wellness/Pages/Musicand-Mood.aspx
http://www.esurveycreator.in/diksha/form/evaluation.dhab
http://www.acrwebsite.org/volumes/8207/volumes/v25/NA-25
https://www.google.co.in/?gfe_rd=cr&ei=34qfVtuMBcf08wfBKqAAg&gws_rd=ssl#q=music+swings+mood+research+paper
http://lawdessertation.blogspot.in/2015/08/chapter-v-conclusion-and-suggestion.html
http://bestbinauralbeats.org/how-music-affects-our-mood/
http://www.healthline.com/health-news/mental-listening-to-music-lifts-or-reinforcesmood-051713#2

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