Exploring the meaning and function of music in everday lives

Some studies have already identified a number of functions that music has in people's lives. However, no standard, reliable measure exists.

In the first part of this study we are asking people to describe the function that music has for them, whether it be about helping them to feel good, feeling like its a part of their identity, helping them to feel creative etc.

In the second part we will create a questionnaire from the free responses people have given in the first part and develop it into a valid and reliable measure of the functions that music has for people.

Click here for details

This study has been approved by the School of Psychology Ethics Committee at the University of Hertfordshire and has the following Ethics Protocol Registration Number: PSY/05/10/NT – study 2

Take up songwriting

We know that different forms of writing can have an effect on people's health and well-being but is the same true of songwriting?

If you have never written a song before but would like to start (or at least to experiment) we would like to follow you in your efforts. For this purpose we would also ask for samples of your lyrics (but only for the purpose of analysis - we would not breach your copyright in any way)

[We're no longer recruiting for this study]

The effects of your favourite song on your mood

Previous research has tended to explore the effects of music on emotion by playing pieces chosen by the experimenter. In this study you'll be invited to rate your emotions before and after listening to your favourite song.

What we're interested in here is answering questions like: How do emotions and the choice of music interact? Do the songs that people choose to listen to reflect the mood they're in? Do they change the mood they're in? Do people choose different songs depending on their mood?

[We will be re-starting reruitment for this study soon]