The Role of Background Characteristics, Music-Listening Motives, and Music Selection on Music Discussion

Abstract

People listen to music for many different reasons. However, few researchers have examined people's motives for listening to music and the potential social effects of music listening. This study addressed this gap in the communication literature, and employed a uses-and-gratifications theoretical framework. Exploratory factor analyses were used to identify 5 music-listening motives and 7 music genre preferences. In addition, hierarchical regression analysis revealed how antecedents predicted music discussion with others. Possible theoretical implications for both uses-and-gratifications and two-step flow theory were discussed.

Keywords:

• Music Discussion
• Music Listening
• Music Motives
• Music Preference
• Opinion Leadership
• Two-Step Flow
• Uses-And-Gratifications

Notes

Note. N = 328. SOCIAL = social utility; AE = aesthetic entertainment; PASS = pass time/habit; INFO = information/cognitive need; MOOD = mood control. Music listening motive items that loaded on each factor are in bold.

*p < .01.

Note. N = 328. RTS = roots; ELE = electronic; URB = urban; HIB = hi-brow; ALT = alternative; REL = religious; HR = hard rock. Music preference items that loaded on each factor are in bold.

*p < .01.

Note. For frequency: R = .30, R² = .09, F(3, 310) = 10.23, p < .001, for Step 1; R = .67, R² = .45, Δ R² = .36, F(8, 305) = 31.28, p < .001, for Step 2; R = .77, R² = .59, Δ R² = .14, F(13, 300) = 33.38, p < .001, for Step 3; R = .78, R² = .61, Δ R² = .02, F(20, 293) = 22.70, p = .11, for Step 4. For content: R = .27, R² = .07, F(3, 310) = 8.01, p < .001, for Step 1; R = .67, R² = .45, Δ R² = .38, F(8, 305) = 31.42, p < .001, for Step 2; R = .82, R² = .68, Δ R² = .22, F(13, 300) = 48.00, p < .001, for Step 3; R = .83, R² = .69, Δ R² = .01, F(20, 293) = 32.42, p = .10, for Step 4.

*p < .05. **p < .01. ***p < .001.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

James D. Belcher

James D. Belcher (Ph.D., Kent State University, 2010) is an instructor in the Department of Communication at Stark State College.

Paul Haridakis

Paul Haridakis (Ph.D., Kent State University, 2000) is an interim director in the School of Communication Studies at Kent State University.