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Does social interaction activate music listeners?

Leen De Bruyn Marc Leman Dirk Moelants Michiel Demey

pp. 93-106

Abstract

Over the last years, embodiment has gained a lot of interest in the field of music research. Researchers began to focus on the study of body movements and gestures in relationship with music. In the study presented here, we empirically quantified the impact of social interaction on movements made by groups of subjects listening and moving to music. Both children (average age 9) and adolescents (average age 16) were tested. The methodology was based on motion capturing using wireless Wii Nintendo Remote sensors, and subsequent statistical analysis. Participants were asked to move along with the beat of the music in two conditions: Individual, without social contact, and in groups of four, encouraging social interaction. Data analysis shows that the influence of the social environment has an effect that can be measured and quantified. In general, the social context stimulates participants to move more intensively to the music. Furthermore, adolescent participants even show a significantly improved synchronization with the beat of the music in the social condition, illustrating social facilitation.

Publication details

Published in:

Jensen Kristoffer (2009) Computer music modeling and retrieval. genesis of meaning in sound and music: 5th international symposium, cmmr 2008 copenhagen, denmark, may 19-23, 2008 revised papers. Dordrecht, Springer.

Pages: 93-106

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-02518-1_6

Full citation:

De Bruyn Leen, Leman Marc, Moelants Dirk, Demey Michiel (2009) „Does social interaction activate music listeners?“, In: K. Jensen (ed.), Computer music modeling and retrieval. genesis of meaning in sound and music, Dordrecht, Springer, 93–106.