A new study has found that sad music helps people with relationship problems feel better about themselves.
Everyone has had relationship problems in their lives and if you've noticed, in such times, one prefers listening to sad songs or is drawn to aesthetic experiences that mirror one's gloomy mood. Researchers found that this happens because such experiences reflect one's feelings and in some way even help in feeling better.
"Emotional experiences of aesthetic products are important to our happiness and well-being. Music, movies, paintings, or novels that are compatible with our current mood and feelings, akin to an empathetic friend, are more appreciated when we experience broken or failing relationships," write authors Chan Jean Lee (KAIST Business School), Eduardo B. Andrade (FGV School of Administration), and Stephen E. Palmer (University of California, Berkeley) in a press release.
Previous studies stated that when people go through intimate relationship breakups, they prefer listening to cheerful and upbeat songs. However, this new study finds that it may not always be the case. In some circumstances, people prefer sad music even when upbeat music is available.
During the study, participants were exposed to frustrating situations and were then asked to rate angry music versus joyful and relaxing music. It was found that participants preferred angry music when exposed to interpersonal frustrating situations like someone being late for a meeting or being interrupted while speaking or doing something rather than when exposed to impersonal frustrating situations like no internet connection or natural disasters.
In another part of the study, participants were asked to recall an incident of loss. It was discovered that people preferred sad music when they recalled an incident in which they lost a personal relationship rather than in incidents where they lost a competition.
"Interpersonal relationships influence consumer preference for aesthetic experiences. Consumers seek and experience emotional companionship with music, films, novels, and the fine arts as a substitute for lost and troubled relationships," the authors conclude.
