​​​​The ARA       Research on Spirituality, Music, and Theatre

THE MUSIC PROJECT 

The Music Project is an experiment examining the impact of different elements of music on mental and physical outcomes. Specifically, we are looking at the influence that music tempo, tonality, genre, experience, and preference have on mood, personality, intelligence, spirituality, and heart rate variability. We are currently conducting a series of studies to replicate a previous study we conducted in which we found that music influences the heart rate variability of people with music experience, and previous research by others finding specific links between mood, personality, and music tempo, tonality, and genre. We have completed one pilot study online to see if music tempo, tonality, genre, and their interaction affect mood and preference (they do). We have completed collecting data for a second pilot study (face-to-face) to see how music affects mental and physical outcomes (especially heart rate variability) using the emWave, a measure of heart rate variability that can only be used with face-to-face participants. We are conducting a third pilot study (face-to-face) to compare the emWave to an app (HeartRate+ Coherence) which measures heart rate variability on smart phones and mobile devices and with the Muse EEG headband. These three pilot studies serve to prepare for our main study, which is in five parts on Qualtrics (an online survey platform). We are also starting to build a research library on the psychology of music. Furthermore, we are currently conducting an international survey of religiousness, spirituality, music preferences, and food preferences in the United States, China, and The Philippines.