The Science Seminar Series: November 8, 2007 4pm

Colors and Emotions Associated with the Music of Bach and Mozart

Shannon Murphy
Department of Psychology & Counseling
Valdosta State University

Powell Hall

Time: 4:00 - 5:00pm

Abstract

This study examined the colors, shades of color, and emotions participants felt were best expressed in music selections. A total of four compositions were used, two pieces by J.S. Bach and two pieces by Mozart. A selection in both major and minor keys were chosen from their bodies of work. As expected, participants chose colors which have previously been shown as associated with positive emotions for the compositions in a major key, the inverse being true for compositions in a minor key. Participants chose positive adjectives to describe music in a major key, and negative adjectives for music in a minor key as predicted. It was also predicted that participants would chose more vibrant shades for music from the Baroque era; however the opposite was actually indicated in this study.