How, Rather Than What Type of, Music Increases Empathy

Abstract

In their article on music and empathy, Greenberg, Rentfrow and BaronCohen propose to employ the Emphasizing-Systemizing (E-S) theory as a framework for analyzing the intrapersonal and social psychological processes that underlie the capacity of music to promote empathy. In particular, the authors consider the implications of E-S theory for autism, and speculate about which types of music might be most effective for increasing empathy in individuals with autistic spectrum conditions (ASC). The main premise of the article is that different personality types, characterized as empathizers versus systemizers, prefer different types of music, and that the key for increasing empathy with music is to choose the type of music that is most associated with empathizers. This commentary attempts to shift the focus of analysis from the type of music, to the more fundamental mechanisms by which music in general may promote empathy. From this alternative perspective E-S theory leads to surprising theoretical predictions about music, empathy, and ASC. WHAT TYPES OF MUSIC INCREASE EMPATHY?"IF one listens to the wrong kind of music, one will become the wrong kind of person." This famous claim by Aristotle represents an age-old belief that music has the capacity to mold character, and that different types of music influence us in distinct ways. Following this tradition, Greenberg et al. set out to identify what types of music should be most effective for promoting empathy. Their strategy is based on the rationale that those types of music that are most preferred by particularly empathic individuals might, in reverse, increase empathy in those that have a weaker capacity for empathy. The Empathizing-Systemizing (E-S) theory (Baron-Cohen, 2003;2009) is used as a framework for characterizing individuals' cognitive styles according to their tendencies to empathize versus systemize. Empathizing consists of sensitivity to the emotions and mental states of other agents, whereas systemizing comprises responsiveness to the underlying parts and organization of non-agentive systems. The authors hypothesize that empathizers will tend to prefer music that is emotional, deep, reflective, romantic, and gentle, whereas systemizers will prefer energetic, thrilling, and forceful music. Moreover, since according to E-S theory individuals with autistic spectrum conditions (ASC) are extreme systemizers and poor empathizers, the authors expect ASC individuals to be drawn to music containing multiple patterns of complex instrumentation and intricate harmonic and rhythmic systems. The ultimate theoretical prediction made is that emotional, deep, reflective, romantic, gentle music, assumed to be the most appealing to empathizers, will be the most effective in enhancing empathy.

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The Experience of Music Perception: A Review of Physiological, Neural, and Psychological Responses

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