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Abstract

In three of the between-subjects conditions in this research, 76 subjects perceived one of three musical stimuli and rated their emotional reactions to the stimulus. In three more between-subjects conditions, 84 subjects initially perceived existential film footage and rated their emotional reactions to the footage, then subsequently perceived one of the three musical stimuli and rated their emotional reactions to the stimulus. The results indicate that film-induced “fear” transforms “interesting” instrumental music into “mysterious” music. In addition, they indicate that film-induced “distress” transforms “energetic” and “confident” vocal music into “inspiring” music. These results provide support for an hypothesized “mental chemistry” of emotions, wherein certain negative and positive emotions combine to form compound emotions.

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Resolving Existential Sentiments with Music: Evidence for a “Mental Chemistry” of Emotions

Abstract

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References