Effects of songs with prosocial lyrics on prosocial thoughts, affect, and behavior

doi:10.1016/j.jesp.2008.08.003

Journal of Experimental Social Psychology

Volume 45, Issue 1, January 2009, Pages 186-190

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesp.2008.08.003 Get rights and content

Abstract

Previous research has shown that exposure to violent media increased aggression-related affect and thoughts, physiological arousal, and aggressive behavior as well as decreased prosocial tendencies. The present research examined the hypothesis that exposure to prosocial media promotes prosocial outcomes. Three studies revealed that listening to songs with prosocial (relative to neutral) lyrics increased the accessibility of prosocial thoughts, led to more interpersonal empathy, and fostered helping behavior. These results provide first evidence for the predictive validity of the General Learning Model [Buckley, K. E., & Anderson, C. A. (2006). A theoretical model of the effects and consequences of playing video games. In P. Vorderer, & J. Bryant, (Eds.), Playing video games: Motives responses and consequences (pp. 363–378). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates] for the effects of media with prosocial content on prosocial thought, feeling, and behavior.

Section snippets

Research on media violence

It is well-documented that exposure to violent media promotes aggressive thoughts, feelings, and behavior, and decreases prosocial behavior (for an overview, see Bushman & Huesmann, 2006). For instance, correlational evidence indicated that consumers of rap and heavy metal music reported more hostile attitudes (Rubin, West, & Mitchell, 2001). Experimental studies corroborated this finding: Listening to aggressive (relative to neutral) song lyrics increased aggressive thoughts, hostile feelings (

Research on the effects of television on prosocial behavior

There is some indirect evidence for the possibility that exposure to prosocial songs increases prosocial tendencies: it has been shown that exposure to television with prosocial content has some positive effects. In an early study (Sprafkin, Liebert, & Poulos, 1975), children were exposed to a film about the dog Lassie. In the prosocial condition, Lassie saved her puppies by barking for help. In the control condition, no prosocial behavior was exhibited. Results revealed that children in the

Theoretical perspectives

The effects of violent media on aggression-related variables have been mainly explained by the General Aggression Model (GAM) proposed by Anderson and colleagues (e.g., Anderson & Bushman, 2002). This model integrates various theories, including social learning theory and related social-cognitive research, affective aggression model, social information-processing model, script theory, and excitation transfer model. According to the GAM, exposure to violent media activates an individual’s

The present research

For this reason, the present research examined positive effects of exposure to prosocial songs. The first two studies measured prosocial thoughts and affects, which are possible precursors, as outlined by GLM, of prosocial action. Specifically, the hypothesis was tested that listening to prosocial (relative to neutral) songs increased the accessibility of prosocial thoughts (Experiment 1) and led to more interpersonal empathy (Experiment 2). Finally, Experiment 3 addressed behavioral outcomes

Pilot testing

In all experiments, participants listened to two songs. To increase the ecological validity of the experimental manipulation, one song with English lyrics and one song with German lyrics were used. Artists and genres were matched across experimental conditions. Participants in the prosocial condition were exposed to: “Love generation” (Bob Sinclair) and “Kommt zusammen” (2raumwohnung). Participants in the neutral condition were exposed to: “Rock this party” (Bob Sinclair) and “Lachen und

Experiment 1

The aim of Experiment 1 was to test the effect of prosocial songs on prosocial thoughts. It was expected that listening to prosocial (relative to neutral) songs would increase the accessibility of prosocial thoughts.

Experiment 2

Experiment 2 tested an important contributor to prosocial behavior, namely, empathy (Batson, 1991). It was expected that listening to prosocial (relative to neutral) songs would increase empathy toward others in need.

Experiment 3

After Experiments 1 and 2 have shown that exposure to songs with prosocial content affects cognition and affect that, as outlined by GLM, may instigate behavioral reactions, Experiment 3 examines whether listening to prosocial songs indeed affects prosocial action. It was expected that listening to prosocial (relative to neutral) songs would foster prosocial behavior.

General discussion

The aim of the present research was to examine the hypothesis that exposure to prosocial media fosters prosocial tendencies. In fact, listening to prosocial (relative to neutral) songs increased the accessibility of prosocial thoughts, led to more empathy, and instigated prosocial action. Whereas previous research has demonstrated that violent media increased aggression-related thoughts, feeling, and behavior (Bushman & Huesmann, 2006), the present research shows that media with prosocial

Theoretical Implications, limitations, and future research

As noted above, using the GAM as a framework, there has been abundant research demonstrating detrimental consequences of exposure to violent media on aggression-related variables. To also account for positive effects of media exposure, this model has been expanded into the GLM (Buckley & Anderson, 2006), but, as yet, the predictive validity of the GLM for the effects of exposure to prosocial media on prosocial tendencies has not been tested. Thus, the present studies constitute the first

Acknowledgment

I am grateful to Colin Wayne Leach for suggestions on a previous draft of this manuscript.

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ReportsEffects of songs with prosocial lyrics on prosocial thoughts, affect, and behavior

Abstract

Section snippets

Research on media violence

Research on the effects of television on prosocial behavior

Theoretical perspectives

The present research

Pilot testing

Experiment 1

Experiment 2

Experiment 3

General discussion

Theoretical Implications, limitations, and future research

Acknowledgment

Effects of violent video games on aggressive behavior, aggressive cognition, aggressive affect, physiological arousal, and prosocial behavior: A meta-analytic review of the scientific literature

Psychological Science

Human aggression

Annual Review of Psychology

Exposure to violent media: The effects of songs with violent lyrics on aggressive thoughts and feelings

Journal of Personality and Social Psychology

Video games and aggressive thoughts, feelings, and behavior in the laboratory and in life

Journal of Personality and Social Psychology

Affect of the game player: Short term effects of highly and mildly aggressive video games

Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin

Violent video game effects on children and adolescents: Theory, research, and public policy

Hot temperatures, hostile affect, hostile cognition, and arousal: Tests of a general model of affective aggression

Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin

Effects of violent video games on aggressive behavior

Journal of Experimental Social Psychology

Chronic violent video game exposure and desensitization to violence: Behavioral and event-related brain potential data

Journal of Experimental Social Psychology

The effect of the amount of blood in a violent video game on aggression, hostility, and arousal

Journal of Experimental Social Psychology

The altruism question: Towards a social-psychological answer

A theoretical model of the effects and consequences of playing video games

Violent video games and hostile expectations: A test of the general aggression model

Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin

Short-term and long-term effects of violent media on aggression in children and adults

Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine

The effect of video game violence on physiological desensitization to real-life violence

Journal of Experimental Social Psychology

The effects of prosocial and aggressive video games on children’s donating and helping

Journal of Genetic Psychology

Alone but feeling no pain: Effects of social exclusion on physical pain tolerance and pain threshold, affective forecasting, and interpersonal empathy

Journal of Personality and Social Psychology

Reports
Effects of songs with prosocial lyrics on prosocial thoughts, affect, and behavior