Affective states, familiarity and music selection: power of familiarity

This study is aimed to examine the influence of familiarity of media contents (music) and affective states (sad vs. happy) on music selection. Based on the previous studies on mood and selective exposure, it was assumed that both sad and happy individuals will prefer to listen to low energetic–joyful (sad) music over the high energetic–joyful music. However, it was predicted that unfamiliarity of the music will prevent such preference tendency for sad people but in some degree it will incite curiosity of happy people. The results confirmed that the familiarity of the music is more important factor in music selection than the current sad or happy feelings. However, the happy participants showed similarly low preference for the unfamiliar music as the sad participants did. Unexpectedly, the unfamiliar/low energetic–joyful music provided sad participants with happy and energetic affects. The familiar/high energetic–joyful music enjoyed more but both types of music were favourably rated.