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Rap Music's Psychological Effects

Research into Mood, Behavior, Crime, Violence and Gender Relations

May 8, 2008 Jennifer Copley

Many parents are alarmed when they discover that their children have developed a taste for rap music, but is there really any reason for concern?

Studies have been conducted to assess the effects of listening to rap music on teenagers and young adults. Findings thus far are mixed, but overall they suggest that listening to rap music does not cause aggressive or deviant behaviour.

Perception of Crime and Violence

One study found that young subjects who watched violent rap videos were more accepting of violent actions, particularly against women. Additionally, those who watched either violent or nonviolent rap videos were more inclined to express materialistic attitudes and favor potentially acquiring possessions through crime, as well as holding more negative views on the likelihood of succeeding through academic pursuits.

Another study found that adolescent females, after watching a rap video depicting women in sexually subordinate roles, were more inclined to express acceptance of violence against women in a dating situation. However, increased acceptance of crime and violence appears to be linked with viewing violent or sexist rap videos rather than listening to rap music on its own.

Attitudes Toward Women

Young men who had little previous exposure to rap music were the subjects of an experiment in which researchers had one group listen to rap music with lyrics, another listen to rap music without lyrics, a third just read the lyrics, and a fourth group neither listen nor read. After the exposure, none of the subjects held more negative attitudes toward women, but those who read or heard the lyrics were more inclined to express adversarial sexual beliefs.

As would be expected, only rap music with misogynistic themes appears to create misogynistic attitudes and greater acceptance of violence against women. Other types of rap do not have a negative effect on the perception of women.

Behavioral Problems

Although research has found a correlation between preference for heavy metal or rap music and behavioral problems, drug or alcohol use, arrests and sexual promiscuity, these behavioral problems usually begin before students begin listening to rap or heavy metal, which indicates that the music does not cause behavioral problems or addiction. Rather, it suggests that at-risk youth are more inclined to prefer heavy metal or rap music.

Academic Achievement

While a number of studies have associated lower grades with students who listen to rap or heavy metal music, one study found that white students actually improved their academic abilities after watching rap videos, as well as expressing more progressive attitudes—after watching politically focused rap videos, they were more inclined to support a liberal black political candidate. Unfortunately, there was no indication of similar research being conducted with black students.

Mood

Listening to rap or heavy metal has not been shown to increase suicidal ideation and anxiety or adversely affect self-esteem among college-aged men and women. Oddly enough, students listening to a nonviolent rap song experienced more depressive symptoms than those who listened to a violent rap song. Overall, rap songs are more inclined to generate angry emotions than heavy metal songs, however.

Unfairly Maligned

Some research suggests that people may ascribe negative effects to rap due to subconscious racism. Subjects who were given a violent lyrical passage were more inclined to rate it as dangerous or offensive if they believed it came from a rap song than if they were told that it originated from a country music song.

Violence Prevention

In Marseille, France, rap and hip hop are thriving musical forms, and many residents believe that the positive effects of this music are the reason poor North African neighborhoods in the region have not suffered the rioting seen in other areas of Paris.

Overall, there is no consistent evidence that rap music on its own (without videos) significantly influences behaviors or attitudes. Also, while those who are not fans of rap tend to assume that all songs in the genre focus on violent, criminal or misogynistic themes, in reality, rap is a diverse genre, with many artists addressing important socio-political issues and positive themes, so all rap music cannot be lumped together in a single category.

Further Reading

For more information on music psychology, please see Music Psychology and Behavior, The Psychology of Classical Music and The Psychology of Heavy Metal Music.

References:

  • Carrie, F. (1999). “Who's afraid of rap: Differential reactions to music lyrics.” Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 29(4), 705-721.
  • Cobb, M.D., & Boettcher, III, W.A. (2007). “Ambivalent sexism and misogynistic rap music: Does exposure to Eminem increase sexism?” Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 37(12), 3025-3042.
  • Johnson, J.D.; Jackson, L.A.; & Gatto, L. (1995). “Violent attitudes and deferred academic aspirations: Deleterious effects of exposure to rap music.” Basic & Applied Social Psychology, 16(1/2), 27-41.
  • Kimmelman, M. (19 December 2007). “In Marseille, rap helps keep the peace.” New York Times, 157(54163), E1-E5.
  • Tatum, B.L. (1999). “The link between rap music and youth crime and violence: A review of the literature and issues [HTML Version].” Justice Professional, 11(3).
  • Wester, S.R.; Crown, C.L.; Quatman, G.L.; & Heesacker, M. (1997). The influence of sexually violent rap music on attitudes of men with little prior exposure.” Psychology of Women Quarterly, 21(4), 497.

The copyright of the article Rap Music's Psychological Effects in Psychology is owned by Jennifer Copley. Permission to republish Rap Music's Psychological Effects in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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Comments

Sep 10, 2008 6:37 AM
Guest :
B.L.H14 i think as being a young adult rap music language is too vulgar and demeaning to all women
Nov 18, 2008 2:46 PM
Guest :
I think that if you are going through hard times or depression and you listen to songs that are depressing then it makes you feel more normal. I think that if you didnt listen to muisc that had things like that in it that it would make yu feel more abnormal and out of place, and make you want to hurt yourself or something in that range.
Nov 23, 2008 4:15 PM
Guest :
if the music is vulgar, innappropriate etc., and thats what people are buying and listening to -- that says something a lot larger about our society as a whole
Dec 5, 2008 7:14 AM
Guest :
woot woot
Dec 8, 2008 4:22 PM
Guest :
rap music has it's negatives as well as other genres like rock and metal. much of the main stream rap and hip hop music we hear is about money girls and sex but if you were to dig deeper into the genre you'll find songs that are supportive in things like making it through poor times and being able to cope after a loss. rap music talks about how life was or is for them and how tough it was being 12 and seeing someone die. they try to bring attention to the awfullness of thier situation and try to get other people to notice so there can be some sort of change.
Dec 9, 2008 7:28 AM
Guest :
i like rap
Dec 10, 2008 7:23 AM
Guest :
It doesnt matter what music you listen to, if you know all the words to it yes you language is going to get worse, you may be a little more vulgar, but it's not just music that is doing this to younger society. People influence other people to do stupid things, it's not music that influences people. I know many teenagers who listen to that music but are the most proper and sweetest people you'd ever meet.
Dec 15, 2008 9:16 AM
Guest :
I don't think there's anything wrong with rap music. Some of it is bad but so what, if you don't like it then don't listen to it. Everyone always has negative things to say about rap music but what about rock music and goth music. Not all rap is bad. Sometimes its just a way for people to express themself.
~Chantel~ (Durham, NC)
Jan 5, 2009 4:39 AM
Guest :
Rap music is not to blame for people doing bad things tupac was one of the greatest rappers ever and most of his songs are full of meaning and help people get through hard times hes not telling people to go out and shoot some one!!!
Jack - Newcastle - England
Feb 21, 2009 9:33 AM
Guest :
Rap just sucks period...XD...pull up your pants people and wear a belt!
Mar 11, 2009 3:57 PM
Guest :
rap music made so that people wouldnt actually kill each other physically, but lyrically.
Mar 12, 2009 8:14 AM
Guest :
well music is the key to some teens heart...listening to music can releave certain types of stress...but when it comes down to music that is mostly based on sex and violence, that is unacceptable. This music tends to increase the behavior that some teens partake. Rap music doesn;t only have to deal with the trials that we see in our everyday life, they dont only have to deal with what a man wants to do to a women. Rap music now days is starting to get degrading and horrid to the human ear!
Mar 23, 2009 2:47 PM
Guest :
ok so im doing a research paper on does rap music influence violence and right now im sort of seeing a no in all my research and stuff keep in mind that im only 14 so my thesis isnt going to be top of the line and i really need help with this piece of crap so i need a clear answer does it or does it not overall promote violence? -ricca(charlotte, NC)
Apr 16, 2009 11:25 AM
Guest :
rap sucks flat out and im doing a reaserch project on the negative effects and im still hating it CHILDREN OF BODOM! and EVISERATION! METAL WILL RULE FOR EVER
Apr 16, 2009 5:28 PM
Guest :
hi. maybe i can help you, i'm at university and i am doing my dissertaion on the influence of rap music on the youth.

personally i would argue no, it does not have a negative effect on rap listeners. rap music is about exposing the problems on the street - it does not cause them. plus rap music is not just about violence it covers many topics although the media and those who do not listen to rap assume that it's all about the violence. ultimately rap music is a voice for the youth; a way of getting heard and expressing oneself.

hope that helps with your paper. :)
Sal
Apr 16, 2009 6:26 PM
Guest :
I feel that rap and hip hop is just brutally honest and alot it reality. Each genre of music has it's own honesty and or it's own beauty and negativity. Music is great therapy, it makes you think. Alot of music is how you can relate to it, what you make of it.
Apr 19, 2009 8:55 PM
Guest :
Look people let's understand that every genre of music has it (+)'s &
(-)'s. I don't care if it's heavy metal, hip-hop, goth, R&B, country, or the blues. What makes the dividing line is the industry. If they feel that a certain content will make money, then they are going to find artist, that are willing to sell their souls for a buck in order to make some money. It's not as easy to just not listen to it, when every technological outlet produce the same drive to get the mess out across the waves, cell phone (ringtones), ipods/mp3 (w/ video), & other devices used by peers. Please believe the record companies have done their research and know exactly who their target audiences are. This whole process is well desinged for whatever genre. Rap is just the newest addition. The psychology is all the same & we, as a society need to come to the conculsion that bad is bad & good is good, no matter what the style of music.
Apr 27, 2009 8:43 AM
Guest :
I think that it is fair to conduct this research, however I feel that the rap/hop-hop genre is to broad to generalize. Sure you have rappers such as Soulja Boy, Lil' Boosie, and other rappers who just make club bangers. But if you look at it, like everything, the industry is a business. These guys are young and are trying to make a living and are not given the best situations, so they do what they can-make a rap and add a heavy beat to it. Then you have rappers such as Lupe Fiasco who add a whole dimension to the game. If you hear "Food and Liquor" or "The Cool" the rhymes and the story behing the lyrics are crazy and really makes you think. But, like all music, rap is a way of expression. NWA and other groups like that sell because they say what everyone is thinking.
But when seeing who/what it affects in its listeners, you have to look at the situation that that peron is living in, economically, mentally, etc. Most people when listening should be able to realize that it is just a song, but some people are not. The real question is that if this music didn't exist, would this argument still be up for grabs? Is it the music that influences behavior? Or the person him/herself?
May 13, 2009 7:31 AM
Guest :
rap msic is also very good i know rAPPERS THAT RAP ABOUT REAL STUFF THAT HELPS PEOPLE LIKE ME. EX:RICK ROSS,YOUNG JEZZY,LIL WAYNE,T.I,PLIES. ALOT OF PPL!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 27, 2009 5:22 AM
Guest :
I am also doing a paper on the influences of rap on the society, particullarly(I think I spelled that wrong), the world. I am 17 and is currently in the 11th grade. I dual enroll therfore I have to keep my GPA up. I say this because it upsets me when people say, "people who listen to rap music are uneducated." In my eyes, this is untrue. I agree with some of you who said that rap is just a way to express yourself. Just because you listen to rap music, it doesn't mean you are going to act it out. I won't look over the fact that, however, rap music may affect you spiritually. During my research for the paper I am writing, I have found that rap music only encourages you to speak your mind. I personally listen to rap, since before I could remember. I was raised up in a house where country music and rock was looked down upon. SO, in my eyes, and through my research, rap only make the people who were violent, more expressive. However, it makes the people who were hesitant to express yourself, an attitude that, if handled right, will inspire rather than destroy. I personally have listened to rap from my parents' generation, and also the music in my generation. I will not lie, the rap music from the current generation is a lot more vulgar, however, it is also a lot more expressive. Rap also promotes self-esteem rather than insecurities. For example: how many women you know would put all their business out ther like Trina does. You would have to be very confident.
In conclusion rap is neither good nor bad, rather an inspiration.
Aug 11, 2009 10:19 AM
Guest :
Rap is no longer hip hop. so to place them into the same category is preposterous.
Rap as we now know was marketed because it was sold by teenagers joking about sex and drugs because and got hired to rap for night clubs. (roughly if my memory holds) it went from there with the market. not all of it is true, and if you look at some artists like nujabes(who are hip hop) there are forms of rapping(poetry to a beat) that does not direct any negativity. hip hop is a celebration of life., that is where the difference of hip hop and rap.
rap has transformed into something of a marketable of whoever will find words that rhyme, and make a way to people enthralled by how memorable they are. if its catchy it will sell

i m not saying rap sucks, but it has definately been bastardized by the media in this rising generation. that accepts it sadly
Oct 3, 2009 5:22 PM
Guest :
i personally think that rap music has absolutley nothing to do with violence its the person who is causing the violence to make the decision to cause violence or not. rap just has words it doesn't mean to follow them. people are talking about what happens in their life, what happened in their life, or how people treated them during life and some are pretty bad. that does not mean follow. that's just my opinion.
Oct 8, 2009 4:19 AM
Guest :
Rap has always had degrading lyrics to women. I heard this rap song that goes "Move Bitch get out the way, get out the way, get out the way." I mean if a young person hears that, whats that going to teach them?
Oct 12, 2009 7:03 AM
Guest :
i think rap music is awesome! o think it doesnt have a bad affect at all! so rap on people, rap on!
Oct 12, 2009 7:05 AM
Guest :
RAP IS AWESOME! SO BACK OFF ALL YOU HATERZ!
Oct 12, 2009 7:05 AM
Guest :
Rap music is great !
If you don't like it who cares..You don't have to make a whole website. Some people act different twards different music. NOT EVERYONE!!
(:
Oct 12, 2009 7:53 AM
Guest :
I think for kids under 10 rap is inappropriate and the more they listen the more inappropriate things they learn.Older than 10 it is your choice to listen or not. I personally like rap music.
Oct 12, 2009 7:54 AM
Guest :
rap is scool
Oct 12, 2009 8:03 AM
Guest :
rap is just another form of music, theres nothing wrong with it. kids enjoy it. not all of it is vulgar. if you personally dont like it dont listen to it. the rappers have a right to express themselves!!!
Oct 12, 2009 9:44 AM
Guest :
to tell you the truth it really depends on the type of music youre listening to and what it's meaning is
Oct 19, 2009 10:56 AM
Guest :
I believe that rap music can have a somewhat positive and negative impact on our society. It can be positive because it's the artists' way of expressing the pain and suffering of their everyday life and the challenges that they have to overcome to get to where they want to be. Maybe someone that just might be listening to the artists' song might feel inspired to keep pushing on and keep striving to get out of the ghetto and make something of theirself and know that their not alone in this world, their not the only one going through the things that their experiencing. Rap music can also have a negative impact because it can glorify cars, money, clothes, jewelry, drugs, and women (as uneducated, gold-digging, hoochies willing to shake their @sses for a little cash). I love rap music. Its my release. I face some of the challenges of being an african american female who is stereotype alot. I can relate to what the message is saying. For those who have a negative view point on rap music...just sit down one day and listen to some. I'll give you a couple of great artists' to check out: T.I. and 2-Pac both have came from negative and turned their music around to be very positive to send a message. Don't knock it until you try it. ;>
Nov 1, 2009 2:41 PM
Guest :
Music nowadays is WOW.Not in a good way either.Music is influencing our children and effecting their behavior and attitude.Music is a bunch of foolishness and our children accept it.
Nov 4, 2009 6:33 AM
Guest :
I believe rap is a great way for artists to express their inner feelings, both through explicit language and personal stories. It has both positive and negative effects in today's society. I personally love rap music for its great beat and background music, and interesting lyricism. If you don't appreciate rap music, take the time to listen to it and see for yourself what the artists are talking about. They tell us their life stories and struggles, all in a perfect package of beat and harmony.
I <3 RAP FOREVA!!
Nov 24, 2009 12:25 PM
Guest :
im doing something for science fair..how do you react to diffrent types of music and how do you feel after listening to that music.
Dec 1, 2009 6:37 PM
Guest :
Personnaly rap isnt my faviorate genre of music. Dpeeding on the personnality type of people and theyre oppinion on music they may react different than others. Some people who like rock/metal etc. may think rap sucks and vice versa. For those who dont like rap and listen to it are the ones who are more likely to do stupid things and then blame it on the music overall.
Jan 1, 2010 11:49 PM
Guest :
Personally I hate rap music. If you make people listen to the song without the lyrics they'd find it good but if you put in the lyrics, it is a whole new thing. Where do the lyrics come form, the rap artisits right... SO they are to blame for the lyrics.
It is not about color that people think its bad. It's about the lyrics. Lil Wayne swears a lot, so does eminem. Is there anything new?
Jan 10, 2010 7:10 PM
Guest :
i listen to rap and it never effected me its just a song
Jan 12, 2010 10:45 AM
Guest :
i think it it dumb to say music affects you mentaly. aperson has there own sense they can not be swayed awa from it just because of a type of music
Jan 13, 2010 10:16 AM
Guest :
LoL Smilly face Dredion tell um
Jan 15, 2010 1:33 PM
Guest :
its allll goood to god...
Jan 18, 2010 8:23 PM
Guest :
Im only 14 years old, n i hav no idea where i'd without rap and hip hop 2day. Yes some of the lyrics r explicit but its my form of therapy. For big and small problems. I was mildy depressed for atleast 2 or 3 years, but in '09 i would listen 2 music wen i was down n not feelin great, n i stil do. Everytime i do listen 2 it, i feel better. Its the only time i actually feel free n its a way 2 express some of my thoughts and ALL my emotions. Im a much happier person 2 this day, my ipod is my best friend n my therapist. Iv listened 2 rap n hip hop since i was 4, I dnt get into trouble n i keep my grades up. If u dnt like rap or hip hop thats perfectly fine, i probably dnt like wat u listen 2, we'r all different. No type of music should b criticized 4 EXISTING. I believe different genres of music can b therapy different types of people. If u understand me, thank u, n nobody should judge anybody over wat kind of music they listen 2.
Jan 19, 2010 7:42 AM
Guest :
I THINK RAP MUSIC HAS NOHTING TO DO WITH TEENS BEHAVIORIAL CHANGE
Jan 20, 2010 9:29 AM
Guest :
Am currently in the Criminal Justice Field (Crime Scene Investigator) in East Los Angeles California from my point of view rap music, hip-hop, reggeton,chicano rap and many more may be in some way offensibe to people. But i think this is just depending on the way of thinking of that person. Many people say music is the cause of crime and violence, it is not. If music were the reason people commit crime the whole world would be turned up side down. Don't you think? Therefore music is just another way to entertein your self, i myself listen to chicano rap and oldies. there is no crime on that.
Jan 21, 2010 10:01 AM
Guest :
well first of all i think rap music defintely has an effect on teens today, but not all rap music is bad. when i say that, i really mean that there are christian rappers in world who rap about life and i mean life as in the opposite of death. then there are the ones who rap the material things in life like big houses and car, and they rap about things you're suppose to do to get those things. such as cheating, killing, stealing, sex, etc. that's not what we're on this earth to do. we're prodoninately on this earth to save soul for christ which is what christian rappers are trying to do. i cud say more but...
Jan 25, 2010 9:46 AM
Guest :
i think this article is so true. i mean sure some artists in this genre music go over board with the whole rapping thing but you cant judge every other artist for it.
Feb 1, 2010 7:06 AM
Guest :
i say that everybody has a choice, if u want to listen to rap then listen to it. if u dont then dont, but u cant blame rap or any other type of music for societies flaws. if people ct a crtain way afer listenin to a vulgar rap song then that just means that they have insecurities about themselves and are followers..but i love rap. an i listen to it 24/7 pretty much and im not violent or demeaning to women, mainly becuz iwas raised to be a gentlemen and music is notgoin to change years of my parents hard work an teaching..u feel me son..an m only 17
Feb 3, 2010 10:14 AM
Guest :
i think that violent music keeps people from actually doing those things because the meaning in the lyrics gets it out their system and they no longer have a reason to feel the way they feel. but, on the other hand, some people take the lyrics to the next level and want to become more lie the artist so that they may become as famous as the person they idolize. its all about the person who listens to the music. and the only way they can be changed by the music is if they WANT to be changed and will accept the change that they undergo.
Feb 3, 2010 10:19 AM
Guest :
i think that people who stereotype rap music, heavy metal music, and rock music into a bad category just have no acceptance of the difference of other people in the world. and therefore cannot actually be happy. for someone to be happy with themselves, they must first accept the world as a whole and realize that everyone is different and that everyone has different ways of getting their feelings out. some people feel that they cannot trust others for fear of being hurt, so they turn to another way of letting it out. and because they listen to that type of music, they get stereotyped and made out to be a bad person all because of the music they listen to.
Feb 7, 2010 6:58 PM
Guest :
great!!!
49 Comments
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