How Music Awakens the Heart: An Experimental Study on Music, Emotions, and Connectedness

Figures & data

Table 1. Emotional and contemplative experiences upon listening.

	Meaningful Music		Pleasurable Music		Univariate
	M (SD)		M (SD)		F(df)	η^2
Emotional and contemplative experiences Strong emotional experiences Positive affect Meaningful affect Contemplative experiences Esthetic emotions Prototypical esthetic emotions Being moved Fascination Feeling of beauty/ liking Awe Epistemic emotions Intellectual challenge Insight Amusement Joy Animation Energy Sadness Sadness	3.74 (.85) 3.88 (1.46) 5.37 (.88) 3.95 (.70) 4.02 (.87) 4.17 (.80) 4.59 (.59) 3.33 (.99) 3.14 (1.09) 3.42 (.96) 3.43 (1.06) 3.14 (1.14) 3.30 (1.11)		3.60 (.86) 5.94 (1.00) 4.34 (1.45) 3.44 (.99) 3.12 (1.40) 3.68 (.93) 4.50 (.51) 3.06 (1.07) 2.88 (1.21) 2.73 (1.36) 4.31 (.70) 4.44 (.78) 1.81 (1.10)		(4, 100) .729 71.519*** 19.209*** 9.304** (9, 95) 15.499*** 8.350** .671 1.765 1.309 8.901** 25.110*** 46.648*** 47.852***	.007 .410 .157 .083 .131 .075 .006 .017 .013 .080 .196 .312 .317

** p < .01; *** p < .001.

Table 2. Physical responses upon listening.

	Meaningful Music	Pleasurable Music	Univariate
	M (SD)	M (SD)	F(12, 92)	η^2
Lump in throat Tears crying Muscles tensed Rising or open chest Chills Warmth in chest Goosebumps Increased heart rate Light bouncy High energy Laughter Muscles relaxed	3.39 (1.78) 2.75 (1.81) 2.35 (1.47) 3.20 (1.55) 3.73 (1.91) 3.55 (1.70) 3.35 (1.65) 2.76 (1.67) 2.90 (1.57) 3.41 (1.79) 2.24 (1.57) 4.47 (1.73)	2.19 (1.53) 1.80 (1.42) 1.93 (1.24) 3.30 (1.87) 3.19 (1.85) 4.06 (1.98) 2.87 (1.78) 3.39 (1.82) 4.46 (1.86) 5.43 (1.69) 4.02 (1.85) 4.61 (1.66)	13.941*** 8.993** 2.602 .089 2.165 1.972 2.071 3.352 21.517*** 35.177*** 28.244*** .181	.119 .080 .025 .001 .021 .019 .020 .032 .173 .255 .215 .002

** p < .01; *** p < .001.

Table 3. Motivation outcomes upon listening.

	Meaningful Music	Pleasurable Music	Univariate
	M (SD)	M (SD)	F(11, 93)	η^2
Be a better person Do good things for other people Seek what really matters in life Live my life a better way Adjust my life to what I really want Make people laugh Enjoy myself Work hard to achieve success Meet new friends Make a lot of money Be popular	6.04 (1.39) 6.14 (1.79) 7.02 (1.56) 6.25 (1.71) 6.43 (1.88) 4.78 (2.33) 6.53 (2.03) 5.69 (2.45) 4.65 (2.29) 3.39 (2.13) 2.76 (1.74)	5.61 (2.12) 6.13 (2.05) 6.17 (2.21) 6.28 (2.14) 6.37 (2.09) 5.91 (2.48) 7.72 (1.37) 5.26 (2.44) 5.91 (2.23) 3.80 (2.57) 3.41 (2.13)	1.479 .000 5.139* .004 .025 5.725* 12.580** .801 8.187** .767 2.845	.014 .000 .048 .000 .000 .053 .109 .008 .074 .007 .027

* p < .05; ** p < .01.

Data availability statement

Data can be provided by the first author upon request.