Negative Effects of Music on the Mind Essay Example
Negative Effects of Music on the Mind Essay Example

Negative Effects of Music on the Mind Essay Example

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  • Pages: 4 (1004 words)
  • Published: May 8, 2017
  • Type: Essay
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According to Brad Bushman, a Professor of Psychology and Communication Studies at the University of Michigan, there is a prevailing belief that violent music negatively affects children by influencing them to display aggressive behavior. In his 2001 article "Media violence and the American public" published in American Psychologist, Bushman points out that conducting laboratory studies to measure the correlation between aggressive music and real-life consequences would be unethical, similar to how it would have been deemed unethical for experimental studies on smoking and lung cancer. He suggests that the impact of violent music on children varies from person to person and identifying whether harsh music primarily causes aggressive behavior is challenging due to other factors such as media exposure, societal influences, and family dynamics. It is commonly known that children tend to imitate adults. Thankfully, the

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re are well-behaved children who have responsible parents serving as positive role models for them. This stands in contrast with rap stars who may not prioritize imparting proper values onto other people's children.

On the other hand, some children are already exposed to violence in their daily lives and the content of musical lyrics and the appearance of singers can play a crucial role in their decision-making. We cannot ignore that both the lyrics and the performer's appearance can negatively influence children's perception of appropriate behavior in public. It is common for performers to use aggressive lyrics, which our children are frequently exposed to, including profanity.

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine conducted a study on the Billboard charts analyzing the top 279 songs of 2005. They discovered that approximately one third of these songs contained lyrics with violen

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themes. The findings revealed that nearly 80% of rap songs referenced killing, racism, and substance abuse. Additionally, 37% of country music lyrics, 20% of R/hip-hop songs, and 14% of rock songs also contained violent elements. This indicates that a significant portion of contemporary popular songs convey violent messages. For instance, the rock group Dead Kennedy's song "I Kill Children" includes disturbing lyrics such as "I kill children, I love to see them die. I kill children to make their mothers cry. I crush them under my car and I love to hear them scream. I feed them poison candy and spoil their Halloween.” Consider the impact that this song may have on our children, who are particularly vulnerable and easily influenced by music. Since youngsters cannot always differentiate between fiction depicted in song lyrics and reality, some may become frightened while others might imitate the violent behaviors they encounter in music later in life.

The article from metalhummer.com discusses the tragic murder of a 15-year-old girl by three fans of the metal band Slayer. According to the parents, they believe their daughter's death was directly caused by Slayer's music and lyrics. The boys involved in the crime later admitted in court that they targeted the victim because she matched the description of a person in the song "Altar of Sacrifice." While not all children may resort to such extreme violence, those who are mentally unstable could interpret violent lyrics as an acceptable way to express themselves or have fun. Furthermore, adolescents are being influenced to believe that violence is a solution to their problems. Some musicians even suggest suicide as an escape, as seen in Ozzy

Osborne's song "Suicide Solution." The lyrics demonstrate giving up on life and taking the easy way out, instead of working hard to build self-esteem and earn respect from others. While some intelligent people may dismiss these musicians, stating, "Who cares what one of these idiots is singing?"There are individuals, mainly teenagers who are facing psychological struggles, such as a lack of faith in their abilities and uncertainty about their future. These individuals may find themselves in an overwhelming state of stress, worsened by the influence of lyrics from their idols, which could potentially lead them to harm or even end their own lives.

Performers captivate children to engage in insulting, assaulting, or even murdering others. The current generation of youth lack moral boundaries: they will go to any extent, without hesitation, if violence is what it takes to navigate their teenage years, particularly if they are influenced by the lyrics of their beloved singers. Moreover, since most musicians are public figures, their way of life and on-stage performances play a significant role in shaping the moral values of young individuals. Surely, you must have observed the attire of hip-hop artists during their concerts; it is not distinct from what they don on everyday streets.

The shocking detail about their appearance is that they wear jeans low enough for thousands of viewers to see their underwear. It is difficult to understand why someone would wear pants this way, but even if it is just a way to rebel against societal norms, the problem remains that they disrespect and threaten the audience by doing so. Furthermore, in his article "Are You Jeans Sagging? Go Directly To Jail."

(The New York Times, Aug. 0th, 2007), Niko Koppel states that sagging pants originated in prisons, where inmates were given oversized uniforms without belts to prevent suicide and the use of belts as weapons. Therefore, the baggy style of wearing pants has criminal origins, and when performers wear pants that fall below the waist, they are promoting a violent prison lifestyle. Considering all the evidence of negative influence from music lyrics and the appearance of musicians on children's behavior, many questions arise.

Today's youth idolize popular singers and it is crucial for them to acknowledge the repercussions of their intense performances. However, it is essential to ponder if the aggression depicted in music merely mirrors the violence prevalent in society. It becomes a subjective query of whether aggressive music or real-life violence emerges first, akin to the age-old chicken or egg quandary. Regardless, irrespective of the form brutality takes on stage, governmental regulation must be implemented to caution and safeguard the younger generation from an excessive and detrimental violent way of life.

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