Skip to main content

Why we enjoy songs that make us feel sad is unclear

Klaus Vedfelt

We can love a song despite it making us feel sad — and scientists don’t agree on why.

Researchers have previously found that sad music might cause us to feel moved in an emotionally positive way, perhaps through experiencing empathy or appreciating the artistry of the piece. Now, a study has found we might simply find pleasure in feeling the sadness such music evokes.

“I guess part of being human is that we just can’t cope with the idea that there’s something strangely pleasurable about negative emotion,” says Emery Schubert at the University of New South Wales in Australia. “But what about people who actually just say: ‘Well, the reason I really love this piece of music is because it makes me sad’? Who’s to say that they’re wrong?”

Schubert asked 50 people – mostly undergraduate music students – to think about a piece of music they love but consider sad, which included compositions by Ludwig van Beethoven and Taylor Swift. They then answered an online questionnaire about the emotions they felt while listening to that piece.

Next, participants were asked to try to imagine that the sadness in their selected piece of music could somehow be removed. Overall, the participants said this made them appreciate it less, with 82 per cent reporting that the sadness added to their enjoyment.

In another part of the experiment, Schubert asked a separate 53 people — again, mostly undergraduate music students — to identify a piece of music they love and consider “moving”. These participants widely reported feeling sad while listening to the piece, despite enjoying it.

See also  Radio bursts from house are displaying a atypical ‘unhappy trombone’ impact

It is possible that the participants are blending the emotions of being “sad” and “moved”, thereby experiencing a direct link between sadness and overall pleasure, says Schubert. They might even be using the words “sadness” and “moving” to describe the same, or a closely related, feeling, he says.

But Jonna Vuoskoski at the University of Oslo in Norway says the sadness expressed by an artist may trigger the feeling of being moved if the listener experiences empathy. People may also relate to the lyrics of sad songs, helping them to feel less alone in what they are going through and stopping them from bottling up their emotions.

Vuoskoski also questions whether the participants could truly imagine removing sadness from a song without also taking away the sensation of feeling moved. Therefore it may be no wonder that they then imagined enjoying the music less, she says.

Tuomas Eerola at Durham University in the UK doubts people could “remove” sadness from what is generally considered a sad song. “The whole study rests on an assumption that listeners are capable of perfect dissection of their emotional causes from each other concerning their loved music,” says Eerola, who sometimes collaborates with Schubert, but wasn’t involved in this research.

Topics:

Source link

Felecia Phillips Ollie DD (h.c.) is the inspiring leader and founder of The Equality Network LLC (TEN). With a background in coaching, travel, and a career in news, Felecia brings a unique perspective to promoting diversity and inclusion. Holding a Bachelor's Degree in English/Communications, she is passionate about creating a more inclusive future. From graduating from Mississippi Valley State University to leading initiatives like the Washington State Department of Ecology’s Equal Employment Opportunity Program, Felecia is dedicated to making a positive impact. Join her journey on our blog as she shares insights and leads the charge for equity through The Equality Network.

82 Comments

  • ✔️꽁타✔️꽁머니,토토꽁머니,꽁포,꽁머니이벤트✔️구글검색 꽁타✔️ 꽁머니사이트 I just could not leave your web site before suggesting that I really enjoyed the standard information a person supply to your visitors Is gonna be again steadily in order to check up on new posts

  • 꽁포 says:

    ✔️꽁타✔️꽁머니,토토꽁머니,꽁포,꽁머니이벤트✔️구글검색 꽁타✔️ 꽁머니 홍보사이트 Its like you read my mind You appear to know so much about this like you wrote the book in it or something I think that you can do with a few pics to drive the message home a little bit but instead of that this is excellent blog A fantastic read Ill certainly be back

  • 꽁포 says:

    ✔️꽁타✔️꽁머니,토토꽁머니,꽁포,꽁머니이벤트✔️구글검색 꽁타✔️ 꽁머니 사이트 Its like you read my mind You appear to know a lot about this like you wrote the book in it or something I think that you could do with some pics to drive the message home a little bit but instead of that this is fantastic blog An excellent read I will certainly be back

  • ✔️꽁타✔️꽁머니,토토꽁머니,꽁포,꽁머니이벤트✔️구글검색 꽁타✔️ 스포츠 꽁머니 I do not even know how I ended up here but I thought this post was great I dont know who you are but definitely youre going to a famous blogger if you arent already Cheers

  • ✔️꽁타✔️꽁머니,토토꽁머니,꽁포,꽁머니이벤트✔️구글검색 꽁타✔️ 스포츠 꽁머니 I do not even know how I ended up here but I thought this post was great I dont know who you are but definitely youre going to a famous blogger if you arent already Cheers

  • Edgardo Jast says:

    My brother recommended I might like this web site He was totally right This post actually made my day You cannt imagine just how much time I had spent for this information Thanks

  • I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here The sketch is attractive your authored material stylish nonetheless you command get got an impatience over that you wish be delivering the following unwell unquestionably come more formerly again since exactly the same nearly a lot often inside case you shield this hike

  • My brother recommended I might like this web site He was totally right This post actually made my day You cannt imagine just how much time I had spent for this information Thanks

  • Madge Orn says:

    I have read some excellent stuff here Definitely value bookmarking for revisiting I wonder how much effort you put to make the sort of excellent informative website

  • I do not even know how I ended up here but I thought this post was great I dont know who you are but definitely youre going to a famous blogger if you arent already Cheers

  • ✔️꽁타✔️꽁머니,토토꽁머니,꽁포,꽁머니이벤트✔️구글검색 꽁타✔️ 꽁머니방 Wow amazing blog layout How long have you been blogging for you made blogging look easy The overall look of your web site is magnificent as well as the content

  • ✔️꽁타✔️꽁머니,토토꽁머니,꽁포,꽁머니이벤트✔️구글검색 꽁타✔️ 토토 꽁머니 I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here The sketch is attractive your authored material stylish nonetheless you command get got an impatience over that you wish be delivering the following unwell unquestionably come more formerly again since exactly the same nearly a lot often inside case you shield this hike

  • Polly Metz says:

    of course like your website but you have to check the spelling on several of your posts A number of them are rife with spelling issues and I in finding it very troublesome to inform the reality on the other hand I will certainly come back again

  • Elody Cassin says:

    you are in reality a good webmaster The website loading velocity is amazing It sort of feels that youre doing any distinctive trick Also The contents are masterwork you have done a fantastic job in this topic

  • ✔️꽁타✔️꽁머니,토토꽁머니,꽁포,꽁머니이벤트✔️구글검색 꽁타✔️ 꽁머니환전 I was recommended this website by my cousin I am not sure whether this post is written by him as nobody else know such detailed about my trouble You are amazing Thanks

  • ✔️꽁타✔️꽁머니,토토꽁머니,꽁포,꽁머니이벤트✔️구글검색 꽁타✔️ 꽁머니 작업 I have been surfing online more than 3 hours today yet I never found any interesting article like yours It is pretty worth enough for me In my opinion if all web owners and bloggers made good content as you did the web will be much more useful than ever before

  • 꽁머니 says:

    ✔️꽁타✔️꽁머니,토토꽁머니,꽁포,꽁머니이벤트✔️구글검색 꽁타✔️ 꽁머니방 Wow amazing blog layout How long have you been blogging for you made blogging look easy The overall look of your web site is magnificent as well as the content

  • Thank you I have just been searching for information approximately this topic for a while and yours is the best I have found out so far However what in regards to the bottom line Are you certain concerning the supply

  • of course like your website but you have to check the spelling on several of your posts A number of them are rife with spelling issues and I in finding it very troublesome to inform the reality on the other hand I will certainly come back again

  • Esta Okuneva says:

    What i dont understood is in reality how youre now not really a lot more smartlyfavored than you might be now Youre very intelligent You understand therefore significantly in terms of this topic produced me personally believe it from a lot of numerous angles Its like women and men are not interested except it is one thing to accomplish with Woman gaga Your own stuffs outstanding Always care for it up

  • Thank you for the auspicious writeup It in fact was a amusement account it Look advanced to far added agreeable from you However how can we communicate

  • Somebody essentially lend a hand to make significantly posts I might state That is the very first time I frequented your web page and up to now I surprised with the research you made to create this particular put up amazing Excellent job

  • Arely Torp says:

    Wonderful web site Lots of useful info here Im sending it to a few friends ans additionally sharing in delicious And obviously thanks to your effort

  • I am not sure where youre getting your info but good topic I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more Thanks for magnificent info I was looking for this information for my mission

  • Ned Maggio says:

    Hi i think that i saw you visited my web site thus i came to Return the favore I am attempting to find things to improve my web siteI suppose its ok to use some of your ideas

  • Wow amazing blog layout How long have you been blogging for you made blogging look easy The overall look of your web site is magnificent as well as the content

  • ✔️꽁타✔️꽁머니,토토꽁머니,꽁포,꽁머니이벤트✔️구글검색 꽁타✔️ 토토꽁머니 I just could not depart your web site prior to suggesting that I really loved the usual info an individual supply in your visitors Is gonna be back regularly to check up on new posts

  • ✔️꽁타✔️꽁머니,토토꽁머니,꽁포,꽁머니이벤트✔️구글검색 꽁타✔️ 꽁머니토토 My brother suggested I might like this blog He was totally right This post actually made my day You can not imagine simply how much time I had spent for this info Thanks

  • 검증사이트 사용으로 사설 토토& 온라인카지노 먹튀를 예방하세요.

  • 먹튀검증 says:

    먹튀검증소는 먹튀 피해가 발생했을때 피해금액을 전액 보상해드리는 보증업체입니다.

  • 꼭 먹튀보증이 가능한 안전한 먹튀검증소에서 코드를 받아 이용하시기 바랍니다.

  • 먹튀검증소는 먹튀 피해가 발생했을때 피해금액을 전액 보상해드리는 보증업체입니다.

  • 사설토토 says:

    검증사이트 사용으로 사설 토토& 온라인카지노 먹튀를 예방하세요.

  • 먹튀검증 커뮤니티 먹튀검증소 바로가기 : eatandrun.net

  • 검증사이트 사용으로 사설 토토& 온라인카지노 먹튀를 예방하세요.

  • 먹튀검증소는 먹튀 피해가 발생했을때 피해금액을 전액 보상해드리는 보증업체입니다.

  • Nice blog here Also your site loads up fast What host are you using Can I get your affiliate link to your host I wish my web site loaded up as quickly as yours lol

  • Nice blog here Also your site loads up very fast What host are you using Can I get your affiliate link to your host I wish my site loaded up as quickly as yours lol

  • I am not sure where youre getting your info but good topic I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more Thanks for magnificent info I was looking for this information for my mission

  • Ive read several just right stuff here Certainly price bookmarking for revisiting I wonder how a lot effort you place to create this kind of great informative website

  • Normally I do not read article on blogs however I would like to say that this writeup very forced me to try and do so Your writing style has been amazed me Thanks quite great post

  • Dejon Ebert says:

    Fantastic site Lots of helpful information here I am sending it to some friends ans additionally sharing in delicious And of course thanks for your effort

  • 꼭 먹튀보증이 가능한 안전한 먹튀검증소에서 코드를 받아 이용하시기 바랍니다.

  • 사설토토 says:

    먹튀검증소는 먹튀 피해가 발생했을때 피해금액을 전액 보상해드리는 보증업체입니다.

  • I do not even know how I ended up here but I thought this post was great I do not know who you are but certainly youre going to a famous blogger if you are not already Cheers

  • 꼭 먹튀보증이 가능한 안전한 먹튀검증소에서 코드를 받아 이용하시기 바랍니다.

  • 검증사이트 사용으로 사설 토토& 온라인카지노 먹튀를 예방하세요.

  • 검증사이트 사용으로 사설 토토& 온라인카지노 먹튀를 예방하세요.

  • 먹튀검증 커뮤니티 먹튀검증소 바로가기 : eatandrun.net

  • you are in reality a just right webmaster The site loading velocity is incredible It seems that you are doing any unique trick In addition The contents are masterwork you have performed a wonderful task on this topic

  • Thank you for the auspicious writeup It in fact was a amusement account it Look advanced to far added agreeable from you However how can we communicate

  • Mable Torp says:

    you are in reality a good webmaster The website loading velocity is amazing It sort of feels that youre doing any distinctive trick Also The contents are masterwork you have done a fantastic job in this topic

  • 먹튀검증소는 먹튀 피해가 발생했을때 피해금액을 전액 보상해드리는 보증업체입니다.

  • Usually I do not read article on blogs however I would like to say that this writeup very compelled me to take a look at and do it Your writing style has been amazed me Thank you very nice article

  • Simply wish to say your article is as amazing The clearness in your post is just nice and i could assume youre an expert on this subject Well with your permission let me to grab your feed to keep updated with forthcoming post Thanks a million and please carry on the gratifying work

  • 먹튀검증소는 먹튀 피해가 발생했을때 피해금액을 전액 보상해드리는 보증업체입니다.

  • 검증사이트 사용으로 사설 토토& 온라인카지노 먹튀를 예방하세요.

  • 먹튀검증소는 먹튀 피해가 발생했을때 피해금액을 전액 보상해드리는 보증업체입니다.

  • Hi my loved one I wish to say that this post is amazing nice written and include approximately all vital infos Id like to peer more posts like this

  • Katelin Conn says:

    What i do not understood is in truth how you are not actually a lot more smartlyliked than you may be now You are very intelligent You realize therefore significantly in the case of this topic produced me individually imagine it from numerous numerous angles Its like men and women dont seem to be fascinated until it is one thing to do with Woman gaga Your own stuffs nice All the time care for it up

  • Thank you for the good writeup It in fact was a amusement account it Look advanced to far added agreeable from you However how could we communicate

  • obviously like your website but you need to test the spelling on quite a few of your posts Several of them are rife with spelling problems and I to find it very troublesome to inform the reality on the other hand Ill certainly come back again

  • Mac Dicki says:

    hiI like your writing so much share we be in contact more approximately your article on AOL I need a specialist in this area to resolve my problem Maybe that is you Looking ahead to see you

  • case skin says:

    Hi Neat post Theres an issue together with your web site in internet explorer may test this IE still is the marketplace chief and a good component of people will pass over your fantastic writing due to this problem

  • phone case says:

    Thanks I have recently been looking for info about this subject for a while and yours is the greatest I have discovered so far However what in regards to the bottom line Are you certain in regards to the supply

  • What i dont understood is in reality how youre now not really a lot more smartlyfavored than you might be now Youre very intelligent You understand therefore significantly in terms of this topic produced me personally believe it from a lot of numerous angles Its like women and men are not interested except it is one thing to accomplish with Woman gaga Your own stuffs outstanding Always care for it up

  • phone case says:

    I was recommended this website by my cousin I am not sure whether this post is written by him as nobody else know such detailed about my difficulty You are wonderful Thanks

  • phone case says:

    My brother suggested I might like this blog He was totally right This post actually made my day You can not imagine simply how much time I had spent for this info Thanks

  • case skin says:

    Fantastic site Lots of helpful information here I am sending it to some friends ans additionally sharing in delicious And of course thanks for your effort

  • phone case says:

    Attractive section of content I just stumbled upon your blog and in accession capital to assert that I get actually enjoyed account your blog posts Anyway I will be subscribing to your augment and even I achievement you access consistently fast

  • case skin says:

    I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here The sketch is tasteful your authored subject matter stylish nonetheless you command get got an edginess over that you wish be delivering the following unwell unquestionably come further formerly again as exactly the same nearly very often inside case you shield this hike

  • phone skin says:

    Somebody essentially lend a hand to make significantly articles Id state That is the very first time I frequented your website page and up to now I surprised with the research you made to make this actual submit amazing Wonderful task

  • phone skin says:

    I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here The sketch is tasteful your authored subject matter stylish nonetheless you command get got an edginess over that you wish be delivering the following unwell unquestionably come further formerly again as exactly the same nearly very often inside case you shield this hike

  • you are truly a just right webmaster The site loading speed is incredible It kind of feels that youre doing any distinctive trick In addition The contents are masterwork you have done a great activity in this matter

  • hiI like your writing so much share we be in contact more approximately your article on AOL I need a specialist in this area to resolve my problem Maybe that is you Looking ahead to see you

  • What i dont understood is in reality how youre now not really a lot more smartlyfavored than you might be now Youre very intelligent You understand therefore significantly in terms of this topic produced me personally believe it from a lot of numerous angles Its like women and men are not interested except it is one thing to accomplish with Woman gaga Your own stuffs outstanding Always care for it up

  • Alexys Rice says:

    I just could not depart your web site prior to suggesting that I really loved the usual info an individual supply in your visitors Is gonna be back regularly to check up on new posts

  • I do agree with all the ideas you have introduced on your post They are very convincing and will definitely work Still the posts are very short for newbies May just you please prolong them a little from subsequent time Thank you for the post

  • Your writing has a way of resonating with me on a deep level. I appreciate the honesty and authenticity you bring to every post. Thank you for sharing your journey with us.

  • Edd Howe says:

    you are truly a just right webmaster The site loading speed is incredible It kind of feels that youre doing any distinctive trick In addition The contents are masterwork you have done a great activity in this matter

  • Lucy Wunsch says:

    I loved as much as youll receive carried out right here The sketch is attractive your authored material stylish nonetheless you command get bought an nervousness over that you wish be delivering the following unwell unquestionably come more formerly again as exactly the same nearly a lot often inside case you shield this hike

  • I just wanted to drop by and say how much I appreciate your blog. Your writing style is both engaging and informative, making it a pleasure to read. Looking forward to your future posts!

Leave a Reply

https://coburnforsenate.com/
https://mts-mqtebuireng.sch.id/
https://hotelarjuna.com/
http://espanahijos.com/
https://kimkartoharjo.madiunkota.go.id/
https://sites.google.com/view/oceania-harvard-sig/about
https://sites.google.com/view/enigmaths/home
https://sites.google.com/view/microdosingpsychedelics/home
https://sites.google.com/view/braddockgrease/home
https://sites.google.com/view/donaldgrasse/home
https://sites.google.com/view/cleanwharfeilkley/home
https://sites.google.com/view/uptownchristmastrees/
https://sites.google.com/view/schev-tempsite/home
https://lewesbonfire2018.blogspot.com/
https://moviemunn.blogspot.com/
https://runopolis.blogspot.com/
https://bestonlinedrugstore.blogspot.com/
https://hambos2novel.blogspot.com/
https://federasty.blogspot.com/
https://business-writer.blogspot.com/
https://changetheagenda.blogspot.com/
https://mschangart.weebly.com/
https://igleceldom.weebly.com/
https://tylercoverdale.weebly.com/
https://compassionatestanford.weebly.com/
https://laurelryohe.weebly.com/
https://uwmicrophiles.weebly.com/
https://roll4rock.weebly.com/
https://travellerchris.weebly.com/
https://gwynllyw.weebly.com/
https://billsantiago.weebly.com/
https://latinocaucus.weebly.com/
https://communitiesconnectingforchildren.weebly.com/
https://redmoonpathways.weebly.com/
https://urangcianjur.weebly.com/
https://vtsbl.weebly.com/
https://rickmountshootingschool.weebly.com/
https://forthamiltoncommunityclub.weebly.com/
https://edsupportgroup.weebly.com/
https://susans-words2.weebly.com/
https://kadiehenderson.weebly.com/
https://parmatours.weebly.com/
https://tractgames.weebly.com/
https://hazratkhateeb-e-azam.weebly.com/
https://financialsupport.weebly.com/
https://debraperrone.weebly.com/
https://barcelonaplanetfilmfestival.weebly.com/
https://aplusc.weebly.com/
mikatoto
SENGTOTO
SENGTOTO
SITUS EVOSTOTO
LOGIN EVOSTOSO