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ABSTRACT
The current research sought to examine how consuming music on streaming platforms, such as Spotify, and other digital media acts as a form of interpersonal communication. This survey research, which is based on a sample (n = 401) recruited through Amazon’s Mechanical Turk (MTurk) human intelligence marketplace, revealed that once consumption rates surpass casual listening (more than 2 hours per day), popular music offers remarkably comparable communicative value for listeners. Results clarified that regardless of music genre preferences, relatively frequent listeners consistently call upon music for parasocial interaction, to inform their identity, and as a means of sharing with others.
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No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
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Jacob S. Turner
Jacob S. Turner (Ph.D., Bowling Green State University) is an Associate Professor of Communication at Merrimack College. His research interests include intercultural communication, sports communication, popular music, and media processes and effects. He is also the co-founder and Faculty Advisor of Merrimack College’s internet-only radio station, WMCK.
Andrew C. Tollison
Andrew C. Tollison (Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin) is an Associate Professor of Communication at Merrimack College. His research interests include health communication, stereotyping, and quantitative research methods.