PSYC6012 Psychology Project (Double)
3,835 words
HARMONIC EMOTIONS: GENDER DIFFERENCES IN EMOTIONAL
RESPONSES TO MUSIC GENRES AND THEMES
19164281
Supervised by Clare Rathbone
March 2025
Statement of originality
including this statement I am agreeing that:
Except for those parts in which it is explicitly stated to the contrary, this
thesis is my own work. It has not been submitted for any degree at this or
any other academic or professional institution.
I agree that the thesis may be made available for reading and
photocopying at the discretion of the Dean of the Faculty of Health and
Life Sciences. Permission for anyone other than the author to reproduce or
photocopy any part of the thesis must be obtained from the Dean of
Faculty who will give his/her permission for such reproduction only to an
extent which he/she considers to be fair and reasonable.
Harmonic Emotions: Gender
Differences in Emotional
1
,PSYC6012 Psychology Project (Double)
3,835 words
Responses to Music Genres and
Themes
ABSTRACT (213 Words)
This study investigates gender differences in emotional responses to music, examining how
males and females react to various musical excerpts differing in tempo, genre, and lyrical
themes. A sample of 21 participants (13 females, 8 males) listened to six distinct musical
excerpts and rated their emotional responses using the Positive and Negative Affect
Schedule (PANAS). Beats Per Minute (BPM) and tempo were measured using Sonic
Visualiser to ensure precise analysis and control. It was hypothesized that females would
report stronger emotional responses to slower, melodic compositions with relationship-
focused lyrics, while males would demonstrate stronger reactions to high-energy genres with
themes of power and rebellion. Results revealed more nuanced patterns than initially
predicted. Females consistently reported higher positive emotional responses across all
musical excerpts regardless of genre or tempo, challenging traditional assumptions about
gender-specific musical preferences. While some expected gender differences emerged, the
findings suggest that gender differences in music-evoked emotions may be more related to
general emotional expressivity than to specific musical characteristics. These results
contribute to our understanding of how gender influences emotional processing of music and
have implications for music therapy, marketing, and music education. Further research with
larger, more diverse samples and additional physiological measures is needed to fully
understand the complex relationship between gender, musical characteristics, and emotional
responses.
2
,PSYC6012 Psychology Project (Double)
3,835 words
INTRODUCTION (1492 Words)
The significance of music in human lives has become of great interest. Zaatar et al., (2023)
identified that music can boost positive emotions and lessen negative ones. For example,
music can help treat low mood, anxiety and in clinical populations. Music has a profound
impact on human emotions, influencing mood regulation, stress levels, and overall well-
being.
Rebecchini (2021) suggests that music therapy can be an effective tool in managing mental
health conditions such as anxiety and depression, as it engages neural pathways associated
with emotional processing and physiological regulation. Slow, melodic music has been
shown to reduce stress and promote relaxation, while energetic, rhythmic music can
enhance motivation and mood.
Music is a universal human experience with remarkable power to evoke, enhance, and
regulate emotions across cultures and throughout the lifespan (Juslin & Sloboda, 2010).
Despite this universality, substantial individual differences exist in how people respond
emotionally to different types of music. Among the various factors that may influence these
responses, gender has been consistently identified as a potentially significant variable, with
numerous studies suggesting that males and females may process, experience, and express
music-evoked emotions differently (Eerola & Vuoskoski, 2013; Panksepp & Bernatzky, 2002).
Regarding gender differences in emotional responses to music, Nater et al., (2006) have
shown distinct psychophysiological reactions between men and women. For instance,
women exhibit heightened physiological responses to arousing and unpleasant musical
stimuli compared to men, suggesting a greater sensitivity to certain types of music. These
findings underscore the importance of considering individual differences, including gender,
when utilizing music-based interventions for mental health.
3
, PSYC6012 Psychology Project (Double)
3,835 words
Given these effects, understanding potential gender difference in emotional responses to
music could allow for more personalized therapeutic interventions. Robazza et al., (1994)
indicated that women may experience stronger emotional reactions to slower, melodic
genres. For example, classical and pop ballads and lyrics centred on love and relationships,
whereas men may respond more intensely to high-energy genres. For example, rock and
hip-hop and themes of power and rebellion. These distinctions could help refine music
therapy approaches by tailoring interventions to individuals based on their emotional
tendencies and preferences.
The relationship between gender and emotional responses to music is multifaceted,
potentially stemming from biological predispositions, socialization processes, and cultural
expectations regarding appropriate emotional expression (Brody & Hall, 2008). Traditional
perspectives have often suggested that females demonstrate greater emotional sensitivity
and expressivity overall, while males may be more restrained in acknowledging and reporting
emotional experiences (Grossman & Wood, 1993). These general tendencies may extend to
music-evoked emotions, potentially resulting in differential patterns of emotional responding
to various musical characteristics.
This study aims to explore whether gender differences exist in emotional responses to
specific music genres and themes, with the goal of informing future applications in mental
health and personalized music-based interventions.
Therefore, in studying gender differences in emotional responses to music, it is important to
distinguish between BPM and Tempo, as both influence how individuals perceive and react
emotionally to a song.
BPM refers to the objective speed of a song, measured as the number of beats per minute. A
higher BPM is often associated with increased physiological arousal (e.g., excitement,
energy), whereas a lower BPM may evoke calmer or sadder emotions.
4
3,835 words
HARMONIC EMOTIONS: GENDER DIFFERENCES IN EMOTIONAL
RESPONSES TO MUSIC GENRES AND THEMES
19164281
Supervised by Clare Rathbone
March 2025
Statement of originality
including this statement I am agreeing that:
Except for those parts in which it is explicitly stated to the contrary, this
thesis is my own work. It has not been submitted for any degree at this or
any other academic or professional institution.
I agree that the thesis may be made available for reading and
photocopying at the discretion of the Dean of the Faculty of Health and
Life Sciences. Permission for anyone other than the author to reproduce or
photocopy any part of the thesis must be obtained from the Dean of
Faculty who will give his/her permission for such reproduction only to an
extent which he/she considers to be fair and reasonable.
Harmonic Emotions: Gender
Differences in Emotional
1
,PSYC6012 Psychology Project (Double)
3,835 words
Responses to Music Genres and
Themes
ABSTRACT (213 Words)
This study investigates gender differences in emotional responses to music, examining how
males and females react to various musical excerpts differing in tempo, genre, and lyrical
themes. A sample of 21 participants (13 females, 8 males) listened to six distinct musical
excerpts and rated their emotional responses using the Positive and Negative Affect
Schedule (PANAS). Beats Per Minute (BPM) and tempo were measured using Sonic
Visualiser to ensure precise analysis and control. It was hypothesized that females would
report stronger emotional responses to slower, melodic compositions with relationship-
focused lyrics, while males would demonstrate stronger reactions to high-energy genres with
themes of power and rebellion. Results revealed more nuanced patterns than initially
predicted. Females consistently reported higher positive emotional responses across all
musical excerpts regardless of genre or tempo, challenging traditional assumptions about
gender-specific musical preferences. While some expected gender differences emerged, the
findings suggest that gender differences in music-evoked emotions may be more related to
general emotional expressivity than to specific musical characteristics. These results
contribute to our understanding of how gender influences emotional processing of music and
have implications for music therapy, marketing, and music education. Further research with
larger, more diverse samples and additional physiological measures is needed to fully
understand the complex relationship between gender, musical characteristics, and emotional
responses.
2
,PSYC6012 Psychology Project (Double)
3,835 words
INTRODUCTION (1492 Words)
The significance of music in human lives has become of great interest. Zaatar et al., (2023)
identified that music can boost positive emotions and lessen negative ones. For example,
music can help treat low mood, anxiety and in clinical populations. Music has a profound
impact on human emotions, influencing mood regulation, stress levels, and overall well-
being.
Rebecchini (2021) suggests that music therapy can be an effective tool in managing mental
health conditions such as anxiety and depression, as it engages neural pathways associated
with emotional processing and physiological regulation. Slow, melodic music has been
shown to reduce stress and promote relaxation, while energetic, rhythmic music can
enhance motivation and mood.
Music is a universal human experience with remarkable power to evoke, enhance, and
regulate emotions across cultures and throughout the lifespan (Juslin & Sloboda, 2010).
Despite this universality, substantial individual differences exist in how people respond
emotionally to different types of music. Among the various factors that may influence these
responses, gender has been consistently identified as a potentially significant variable, with
numerous studies suggesting that males and females may process, experience, and express
music-evoked emotions differently (Eerola & Vuoskoski, 2013; Panksepp & Bernatzky, 2002).
Regarding gender differences in emotional responses to music, Nater et al., (2006) have
shown distinct psychophysiological reactions between men and women. For instance,
women exhibit heightened physiological responses to arousing and unpleasant musical
stimuli compared to men, suggesting a greater sensitivity to certain types of music. These
findings underscore the importance of considering individual differences, including gender,
when utilizing music-based interventions for mental health.
3
, PSYC6012 Psychology Project (Double)
3,835 words
Given these effects, understanding potential gender difference in emotional responses to
music could allow for more personalized therapeutic interventions. Robazza et al., (1994)
indicated that women may experience stronger emotional reactions to slower, melodic
genres. For example, classical and pop ballads and lyrics centred on love and relationships,
whereas men may respond more intensely to high-energy genres. For example, rock and
hip-hop and themes of power and rebellion. These distinctions could help refine music
therapy approaches by tailoring interventions to individuals based on their emotional
tendencies and preferences.
The relationship between gender and emotional responses to music is multifaceted,
potentially stemming from biological predispositions, socialization processes, and cultural
expectations regarding appropriate emotional expression (Brody & Hall, 2008). Traditional
perspectives have often suggested that females demonstrate greater emotional sensitivity
and expressivity overall, while males may be more restrained in acknowledging and reporting
emotional experiences (Grossman & Wood, 1993). These general tendencies may extend to
music-evoked emotions, potentially resulting in differential patterns of emotional responding
to various musical characteristics.
This study aims to explore whether gender differences exist in emotional responses to
specific music genres and themes, with the goal of informing future applications in mental
health and personalized music-based interventions.
Therefore, in studying gender differences in emotional responses to music, it is important to
distinguish between BPM and Tempo, as both influence how individuals perceive and react
emotionally to a song.
BPM refers to the objective speed of a song, measured as the number of beats per minute. A
higher BPM is often associated with increased physiological arousal (e.g., excitement,
energy), whereas a lower BPM may evoke calmer or sadder emotions.
4
