by Lisa J. Tabet
Daily Lobo
The UNM community is split over the findings of a recent study by the American Psychological Association that claims young adults may experience a surge in aggression-related thoughts and feelings after listening to music with violent lyrics.
The study suggests that violent songs increase hostility among listeners. These results contradict the popular notion that listening to violent music provides a positive catharsis for people, said Matt Spurgeon, a UNM sophomore.
"I think it's better to use music as an outlet for aggression than using your fists as an outlet, because no matter what, you need to get rid of those feelings." Spurgeon said.
But some students agreed with the study's findings.
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"I think violent lyrics make me cuss more," said Lesley Ikeda, a UNM sophomore. "Violent music with aggressive lyrics makes it more comfortable to curse."
The study included five experiments involving more than 500 college students throughout the nation.
It states that in 1989, The American Medical Association concluded that music exerts a greater influence on teenagers than television. It also found that more teenagers than adults believe that popular music encourages drug use and premarital sex, and contributes to a "culture of aggression."
The recent study goes on to say that even 14 years after the American Medical Association's conclusions, the same kinds of studies are still being done and the same kinds of results are being found.
Ted With, the director of the UNM Baptist Student Union, said he thought the studies results were false.
"I don't think people are just like a blank slate you can just pump aggressive music into and create violence," With said.
He said that people need to remember that music can serve as a motivator and need to ask themselves why they listen to such music.
"What value is there in listening to music that is violent," With said.
The study states that violence has been depicted in music for years now, and has spread to movies and television. Artists such as Eminem and Marilyn Manson have long been under fire for their blatant use of violent and aggressive language, however, their success in the music industry is extremely high.
According to the study, although there are many other studies that prove that watching and listening to violent movies and music contributes to aggressive behavior in some people, there is not very much evidence that it motivates all crimes.
"They (the APA) don't make note of all the people who listen to violent lyrics every day, and have never committed a crime," sophmore Amanda Valdez said.
The music industry came under criticism in October 2002 for refusing to use parental advisory labels that specify whether the album contains objectionable material for some albums. The American Psychological Association study indicates that musical content matters and that people need to be aware of the effects music has on them.
