The question of whether modern pop music has a more hypnotic effect than older music is a topic of debate among scholars and researchers in the field of music psychology. However, there is no clear consensus on the matter, as the research findings are mixed and often contradictory.
Several studies have suggested that modern pop music may have a more hypnotic effect on listeners than older music. One reason for this may be the use of repetitive, catchy melodies and lyrics in modern pop songs, which can make them more memorable and easier to recall. Additionally, modern pop songs often feature electronic beats and other synthesized sounds that can create a hypnotic, trance-like state in listeners.
However, other research has found that older music can be just as hypnotic as modern pop music, if not more so. For example, some classical music compositions are known for their repetitive rhythms and melodies, which can induce a hypnotic state in listeners. Additionally, traditional folk music from around the world often features repetitive chants and melodies that can be quite hypnotic.
It is also worth noting that the idea of music having a hypnotic effect is a complex and multifaceted concept. Different people may be more or less susceptible to hypnotic suggestions, and the specific characteristics of a given piece of music can play a significant role in how hypnotic it is perceived to be. Thus, it is difficult to make generalizations about the hypnotic effects of music without taking these individual and contextual factors into account.
In conclusion, while some studies have suggested that modern pop music may have a more hypnotic effect than older music, there is no clear consensus on the matter. Different types of music can be hypnotic in different ways, and individual and contextual factors can also play a significant role. As such, it is important to approach this topic with a nuanced and open-minded perspective. Sources: (1) Lartillot, O., Toiviainen, P., & Eerola, T. (2008). A Matlab toolbox for musical feature extraction from audio. In Proceedings of the international conference on digital audio effects (pp. 237–244). (2) Eerola, T., & Vuoskoski, J. K. (2013). A review of music and emotion studies: Approaches, emotion models, and stimuli. Music Perception: An Interdisciplinary Journal, 30(3), 307–340. (3) Juslin, P. N., & Västfjäll, D. (2008). Emotional responses to music: The need to consider underlying mechanisms. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 31(5), 559–575.
