The results of a new study conducted by scientists showed that listening to music helps people cope with loneliness and evokes positive social fantasies. This was reported by Pravilamag.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the idea that songs could partially replace communication in people’s lives became widespread. At that time, many admitted that they listened to music as a “companion” and thus reduced their sense of loneliness.
In a new scientific study led by Steffen A. Herff, head of the “Music, Mind and Body” laboratory at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and a Horizon program researcher, it was revealed that music enhances fantasies related to social themes. According to him:
— “People often said they listened to music so it could be like a companion to them. But until now, it was unclear whether this was just a figure of speech or whether music really has an actual effect on social thinking.”
The study involved 600 volunteers. They watched a video about a lonely person and had to continue the storyline. Some participants were given songs in different languages or instrumental music to listen to, while others created their own ideas in silence.
The results showed that those who listened to music came up with significantly more vivid, warm, and positive fantasies compared to those in silence. Their stories more often included social concepts such as “people,” “friend,” “together,” “village.”
According to Herff, not understanding the lyrics of a song does not hinder the process. In fact, music can activate social imagination even without words. Thus, it is not only about hearing a human voice.
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