Music, social behavior and interpersonal relationships

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of music on interpersonal relationships by means of attraction, choice of partners, and romantic relationships. Fifty adult non-musicians chose potential partners in newspaper ads, described the characteristics of listeners of 7 different musical styles, and answered open-ended questions related to the uses of music in interpersonal relationships of a romantic nature. Although music did not seem to impact interpersonal attraction and choice of partners directly, it was found to impact social bonding in indirect ways. Personality types associated with musical styles emerged, suggesting that musical taste influences interpersonal relationships. Additionally, four categories related to the uses of music in the context of interpersonal relationships emerged including arousal goals, background, facilitator of activities that foster proximity, and mnemonic artifact. Data from this study lends support to the notion that music plays an important role in social bonding.