Abstract
The current study investigated the moderating effect of personality on the emotional reaction to auditory dissonance, both resolved and unresolved, and consonance. Participants completed a Big Five Personality inventory, then listened to one of three auditory segments consisting of either consonant, unresolved dissonant, or resolved dissonant two-tone chords. It was hypothesized that dissonance would elicit more negative emotions and less positive emotions than consonance, and that extraversion, neuroticism, and openness would act a moderators for emotional reaction to the auditory stimulus type. Results indicated that both personality and auditory dissonance held a relationship with emotion. Personality did not act as a moderator, but three personality dimensions had a tendency towards an interaction. This study suggests that individual differences play an important role in emotionality, and dissonance is an important aspect for evoking emotion within music.
Advisor
Clayton, Susan
Department
Psychology
Recommended Citation
Baxter, Charlotte, "And How Does That Make You Feel?: Moderating Effects of Personality on Auditory Dissonance and Emotional Reaction" (2015). Senior Independent Study Theses. Paper 6528.
https://openworks.wooster.edu/independentstudy/6528
Publication Date
2015
Degree Granted
Bachelor of Arts
Document Type
Senior Independent Study Thesis
© Copyright 2015 Charlotte Baxter