They’re (not) playing our song: (Ir)religious identity moderates the effects of listening to religious music on memory, self‐esteem, and mood

Abstract

Previous research suggests that listening to music can enhance memory and well‐being. However, what is often missing from this analysis is consideration of the social dimensions of music—for example, its capacity to affirm or threaten listeners’ social identities. This study examined whether (ir)religious music that was potentially identity‐affirming or identity‐threatening (Christian hymns, Buddhist chants, classical, or no music) would affect Christians’ and Atheists’ (N = 267) well‐being and memory performance while listening. Analyses revealed significant interactions between (ir)religious group and music type on memory, self‐esteem, and mood. Listening to music that potentially threatened one's religious identity appeared to undermine both performance self‐esteem and actual memory performance, while increasing feelings of hostility. This pattern was found for Christians (vs. Atheists) who listened to Buddhist chants. Conversely, Atheists’ performance self‐esteem (and to some degree their memory performance) was lowest, and their hostility highest, when they listened to Christian hymns. In this way, listening to music that potentially threatened one's religious group identity (or lack thereof) appeared to be detrimental for memory, self‐esteem, and mood. These results bridge research on the psychology of religion, music psychology, and social identity theorizing by demonstrating that the effects of music on memory and well‐being may reflect important (even sacred) social identities, with potential implications for individual well‐being and intergroup relations.

Music and Pedagogy: The Role of Cultural and Demographic Variables

“…The ndings from the qualitative data analysis also suggest that members of underrepresented groups may feel hostility towards information that doesn't align with their personal experiences. This research supplements prior studies demonstrating the importance of individuals' relationship to music (10,13) by pointing to the importance of socio-cultural variables as important factors in uencing cognitive tasks.…”

“…For example, Ysseldyk and colleagues found that listening to music that threatens one's religious identity can undermine performance on memory tasks and contribute to increased feelings of hostility. Meanwhile, music that is consistent with one's social identity can promote positive cognitive and social responses (13).…”

“…This study expands on previous research using a multi-methodological approach to bring in the voices of underrepresented groups and to explore the role of key socio-cultural and demographic variables, including gender, race/ethnicity, and nativity. Given that previous research has shown that one's personal relationship to music in uences memory and learning (10,13), it is expected that variables such as race/ethnicity, gender, and nativity will impact how one feels about both musical lyrics as well as different genres of music. These variables will then, in turn, in uence performance on memory and cognitive tasks.…”

Determining the role of music attitude and its precursors in stimulating the psychological wellbeing of immigrants during COVID quarantine – a moderated mediation approach

“…Numerous studies, both observed and experimental, have demonstrated the widespread benefits of music and its influence on various aspects of human existence, including physical, sociocultural, academic, psychological, and emotional well-being (Särkämö et al, 2014;Rose et al, 2019;Whiteman, 2020;Oliver et al, 2021). Music has also been utilized in prior research to investigate individuals' preferences and behaviors (Kim and Kang, 2021;Greenberg et al, 2022); as well as its therapeutic effects on mental health and other ailments (Ysseldyk et al, 2021). Studies focusing on music and its types have shown potential for reducing stress and improving well-being in youngsters, particularly in young students (Saarikallio et al, 2020).…”