The science of music is complex, but one study suggests that we all have different brain types and that different kinds of music appeal to different people. Music is an emotional release, whereas anticipation produces a powerful release. A Cambridge University psychologist, David Greenberg, conducted a study on more than 4,000 participants from across the UK. He divided the subjects into three main personality types: conscientiousness, agreeableness, and neuroticism.
The brain processes sounds in many different ways, but music is an especially effective form of audio stimulation. Its rhythmic, repetitive patterns can cause us to feel certain emotions, and music is particularly effective at inducing shared emotions. Music works in much the same way as language, using sound and dynamic variations to elicit a wide range of responses. As a result, music is so important for our well-being, and we’re all influenced by it.
Research has shown that different types of pleasurable stimuli activate the same brain circuit, despite the fact that music and pleasure may involve different brain regions. Music is perceived by the auditory regions, which connect to reward centers. In contrast, people respond differently to other types of reward, and few don’t respond at all. However, there are some differences between music and other types of stimuli, and we can’t be certain whether music is the answer to our question of why we enjoy it so much.
While music can help us feel better, it is also known to make us more aware of our feelings. People who are able to understand their own feelings better can be better able to empathize with others. And a deep appreciation of music will allow us to better understand others and their needs. So what is it that makes music such a powerful emotional outlet? There are plenty of reasons. We should give music a chance to inspire us, and it will surely improve our lives.
