Musik und Emotionen. Studien zur Strebetendenz-Theorie

Everyone knows the strong emotional impact that music can have on us. But why do sounds touch us at all? Although this question has long been the focus of various scientific disciplines, there has yet to be a convincing answer. This book aims to change that. With the striving tendency theory, the authors present an explanatory model that traces emotions experienced while listening to music back to the listener's identifications with volitional contents. Using numerous musical examples—from Bach to pop music—this principle is clearly described for the reader. Additionally, through a study conducted on four continents with over 2,000 participants, the authors demonstrate that the emotional impact of musical structures was largely rated consistently, in line with the striving tendency theory. For scientists and musicians, as well as for the interested layperson, this book represents an innovative and groundbreaking contribution to understanding the emotional effects of music.