Some Differential Effects of Music on Projective and Structured Psychological Tests

Abstract
To assess the differential influence of music on psychological test responses, 40 female Ss were randomly assigned to one of two groups who responded to a battery of psychological tests while listening to either exciting or calming music. Ss' responses were more affected on projective than on structured tests. Ss listening to exciting music more frequently told hostile stories and stories with female power themes. With exciting music Ss also drew significantly taller figures on the Draw-A-Person Test and tended to show more Fear of Failure on Bass' Famous Sayings. Discussion concerned effects of ambiguity of musical stimuli and the effects of music on content and structure of test responses.

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