University of Pennsylvania ScholarlyCommons Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) Capstone Projects Capstones 2015 Message in the Music: Do Lyrics Influence ell-Being?W Patricia Fox Ransom
[email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://repository.upenn.edu/mapp_capstone Part of the Other Music Commons, and the Other Psychology Commons Ransom, Patricia Fox, "Message in the Music: Do Lyrics Influence ell-Being?"W (2015). Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) Capstone Projects. 94. https://repository.upenn.edu/mapp_capstone/94 This paper is posted at ScholarlyCommons. https://repository.upenn.edu/mapp_capstone/94 For more information, please contact
[email protected]. Message in the Music: Do Lyrics Influence ell-Being?W Abstract Music has long been an effective way to communicate to the masses, and lyrics have played a massive role in delivering this communication. Yet the opportunity for research on the role lyrics play in well-being is vastly underutilized. This paper is an exploration of the relationship between lyrics and positive psychology. I will discuss a brief origin of lyrics, examine the body of literature on lyrics as well as its gaps, and finally suggest potential application of lyrics ot increasing various aspects of well-being. We are only beginning to have the language to discuss the positive and negative effects of lyrics. The results of this exploration indicate that lyrics have the potential to increase two of the five elements of well-being in the PERMA model, positive emotions and meaning. It is suggested that you can increase well-being by mindfully listening to meaning-filled lyrics bolstered by music’s ability to influence emotion.