As humans, we are capable of great empathy; that’s why immersing ourselves in movies can be so enjoyable. Studies show that the music chosen for a movie can cause us to empathize more deeply and even perceive the plot of a movie differently depending on what music is playing in the background. Researchers used eye-tracking technology to study the response in the brain when we listen to different types of music in different types of movies.
Key Takeaways:
- Music choices in film can impact our experience of the film and our level of empathy towards the characters.
- Music choices in film can also impact the way we interpret the film’s plot.
- Background music impacts us this way because we are wired, as humans, to make meaning of our experiences.
“The researchers found that those who heard the melancholy music reported greater empathy toward the character in the scene than those who heard either anxious music or ambient sound.”