Psychologists have ruled out negative changes in music during the coronavirus pandemic

A recent study conducted by psychologists at the University of Vienna has shown that pop music has become sadder and darker over the past 50 years. However, this does not depend on negative and traumatic events. This was reported by Popular Science magazine on December 15.

In the study, psychologists analyzed 20,186 songs from the Billboard Top 100 music charts between 1973 and 2023. Subsequently, they introduced the texts into a specially designed algorithm for evaluation based on their positive or negative content.

The results showed a significant increase in stress and negative emotions in the lyrics. It was also found that texts have become simpler over the years. These changes are said to correlate with an increase in the number of cases of depression and anxiety disorders in society, as well as an increase in negativity in news and books.

However, the study did not reveal a link between song lyrics and changes in household income levels. In addition, it turned out that major traumatic events such as the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack or the coronavirus pandemic did not lead to darker songs. On the contrary, these events have caused an increase in positive and more complex lyrics in the songs.

"Surprisingly, social upheavals such as COVID-19 have coincided with a weakening rather than an intensification of these trends, indicating a preference for music that does not match emotions. <...> Any observed differences before and after events such as September 11 or COVID-19 represent temporary associations rather than definite cause-and—effect relationships," the study text says.

The researchers believe that this highlights the importance of music in society, in particular its role in processing emotions and helping people cope with difficult life circumstances.

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On November 17, Science Daily magazine pointed out the benefits of listening to music for the development of dementia. According to the publication, regular listening to music in people over the age of 70 significantly reduces the risk of this disease.

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