https://community.spotify.com/t5/The-Blog-Vault/Music-Psychology-How-Music-Brings-Us-Together/ba-p/5384350 <P><SPAN>Music has long been an integral aspect of the human experience. In 2009, archeologists unearthed the oldest known musical instrument, a vulture-bone flute, in a European cave from 40,000 years ago (</SPAN><A href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/bone-flute-is-oldest-instrument--study-says" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><SPAN>National Geographic</SPAN></A><SPAN>). So, why did humans evolve to partake in creating and enjoying music? New research points to our innate desire to connect. Music can convey emotion, lead to the formation of vivid memories, and, most importantly, strengthen connections. As a university student working towards my bachelor of science in psychology, I'd like to take a look behind the scenes at the science behind how music plays an integral role in how we connect and relate to one another.&nbsp;</SPAN></P><P><BR /><SPAN>Before the advent of music streaming and recording, the only way to experience it was live. Our ancestors would have to come together and put on concerts, rather than just opening Spotify and clicking play. This type of social contact may have provided a physical and psychological safety net which aided our ancestors' survival and may even help us in the modern day. Further, </SPAN><A href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4179700/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><SPAN>studies</SPAN></A><SPAN> show that musically synchronizing with others results in the release of pleasure chemicals (endorphins) in our brains, creating positive feelings associated with those with whom you're synchronizing. Interestingly, </SPAN><A href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24805849/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><SPAN>research</SPAN></A><SPAN> has shown that we can reap these benefits even if the person we synchronize with is not visible to us! You can even try this for yourself — visit (or call) a friend or family member and try singing a song together! May I suggest…</SPAN></P><P>&nbsp;</P><P><SPAN><A href="https://open.spotify.com/track/62AuGbAkt8Ox2IrFFb8GKV?si=73ebd2c53f91427b:small" target="_self">https://open.spotify.com/track/62AuGbAkt8Ox2IrFFb8GKV?si=73ebd2c53f91427b:small</A>&nbsp;</SPAN></P><P>&nbsp;</P><P><SPAN>Humans have an inherent desire to consistently seek inclusion over exclusion to fulfill our fundamental need to belong. Music is one way to fulfill this desire to belong, leading to an increased sense of safety and obligation towards your group. </SPAN><A href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4021113/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><SPAN>Studies</SPAN></A><SPAN> have found increased social cohesion and emotional well-being among families and peer groups when they engage in ritualized musical activities, such as listening to music and even talking about one's favourite songs. Music can play a significant role in strengthening peer and family relations and improving social and emotional well-being. Shared musical preferences have also been </SPAN><A href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0146167211407521" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><SPAN>shown</SPAN></A><SPAN> to create bonds between people, as we have an inclination to affiliate musical taste with our values. This tendency to relate musical taste and values can influence how much we like someone based on their taste in music.</SPAN></P><P><SPAN>&nbsp;</SPAN></P><P><SPAN>Since music taste can vary from person to person, finding the perfect mix of tunes for you and your friends and family can be challenging. However, thanks to Spotify's new <A href="https://support.spotify.com/article/social-recommendations-in-playlists/" target="_self">Blend playlists</A>, you can generate a continually updating playlist for you and up to 10 friends to find the perfect music to jam out and bond over.</SPAN></P> Fri, 27 May 2022 13:00:00 GMT Noah 2022-05-27T13:00:00Z https://community.spotify.com/t5/The-Blog-Vault/Music-Psychology-How-Music-Brings-Us-Together/ba-p/5384350 <P><span class="lia-inline-image-display-wrapper lia-image-align-inline" image-alt="1.png" style="width: 400px;"><img src="https://community.spotify.com/t5/image/serverpage/image-id/141015i7890DC0B869539E1/image-size/medium?v=v2&amp;px=400" role="button" title="1.png" alt="1.png" /></span></P> Fri, 27 May 2022 13:00:00 GMT https://community.spotify.com/t5/The-Blog-Vault/Music-Psychology-How-Music-Brings-Us-Together/ba-p/5384350 Noah 2022-05-27T13:00:00Z https://community.spotify.com/t5/The-Blog-Vault/Music-Psychology-How-Music-Brings-Us-Together/bc-p/5387115#M2940 <P>Excellent article, congratulations!</P> Fri, 27 May 2022 16:40:24 GMT https://community.spotify.com/t5/The-Blog-Vault/Music-Psychology-How-Music-Brings-Us-Together/bc-p/5387115#M2940 geovanebento 2022-05-27T16:40:24Z https://community.spotify.com/t5/The-Blog-Vault/Music-Psychology-How-Music-Brings-Us-Together/bc-p/5387941#M2941 <P>I often think about what music does when watching football (or soccer for some of you...) as there is real shared passion when singing together at an event like that. Thanks for this&nbsp;<a href="https://community.spotify.com/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/15752358">@Noah</a>&nbsp;really interesting</P> Mon, 30 May 2022 15:14:36 GMT https://community.spotify.com/t5/The-Blog-Vault/Music-Psychology-How-Music-Brings-Us-Together/bc-p/5387941#M2941 Loneliest_Cabin 2022-05-30T15:14:36Z https://community.spotify.com/t5/The-Blog-Vault/Music-Psychology-How-Music-Brings-Us-Together/bc-p/5398863#M2942 <P>According to new research, music helps synchronize our bodies and our brains.<BR />BY JILL SUTTIE | JUNE 28, 2016<BR />Print Bookmark<BR />At GGSC’s recent awe conference, Melanie DeMore led the audience in a group sing as part of the day’s activities. Judging from participant responses, it was clear that something magical happened: We all felt closer and more connected because of that experience of singing together.</P><P>Why is singing such a powerful social glue? Most of us hear music from the moment we are born, often via lullabies, and through many of the most important occasions in our lives, from graduations to weddings to funerals. There is something about music that seems to bring us closer to each other and help us come together as a community.</P><P>&nbsp;</P><P><SPAN><A href="https://www.mythdhr.net/" target="_self">MyTHDHR Schedule</A><BR /></SPAN></P> Tue, 28 Jun 2022 10:43:13 GMT https://community.spotify.com/t5/The-Blog-Vault/Music-Psychology-How-Music-Brings-Us-Together/bc-p/5398863#M2942 Schmid5364 2022-06-28T10:43:13Z