Abstract:
In the present investigation, we examined how current mood state influences the songs that people prefer to listen to and examined the self-reported intentions underlying these preferences (Experiment 1 & 2). We induced happy, neutral, sad or angry moods, and compared subsequent song desirability ratings on the dimensions of valence (positive vs. negative) and motivational direction (approach vs. withdrawal). Participants also reflected on their intentions regarding their music selection preferences. Across two experiments, participants rated positively valenced songs as more desirable than negatively valenced songs, and withdrawal-oriented songs as more desirable than approach-oriented songs, regardless of current mood. These results are most consistent with the mood management hypothesis which proposes that individuals are motivated to minimize negative moods and extend or enhance good moods.
