Summary: A large-scale study with 600 participants shows that music can genuinely evoke feelings of companionship by sparking social imagination. When participants listened to folk music, they imagined vivid social scenes such as being with friends, even when lyrics were removed.
Compared with silence, music consistently amplified mental imagery tied to warmth and connection. These results highlight music’s potential as a low-cost tool to reduce loneliness and support mental health therapies.
Key Facts
neurosciencenews.com
Compared with silence, music consistently amplified mental imagery tied to warmth and connection. These results highlight music’s potential as a low-cost tool to reduce loneliness and support mental health therapies.
Key Facts
- Social Imagery: Music evoked vivid scenes of togetherness, even without lyrics.
- Global Study: 600 participants produced over 4,000 imagination reports.
- Therapeutic Promise: Findings may support new mental health interventions.
Music Sparks Social Imagination and Eases Loneliness - Neuroscience News
A large-scale study with 600 participants shows that music can genuinely evoke feelings of companionship by sparking social imagination.
neurosciencenews.com