School of Life Sciences, Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, UK.
Br J Psychol. 2011 Feb;102(1):108-34. doi: 10.1348/000712610X506831.
Four 'uses and gratifications' studies investigated peoples' reasons for listening to music (Study 1); and whether these reasons differ significantly from those associated with other leisure activities (Study 2). In Study 3, an open-ended, qualitative research design was used to investigate why people listen to music. In Study 4, a cross-sectional design was used to investigate the possibility that people of different ages might listen to music for different reasons. Findings showed that there are a number of reasons why participants listen to music, comparison of which indicated that participants listen to music primarily to manage/regulate their moods. Comparison with other leisure activities indicated that for the most part, listening to music was rated better than other leisure activities at serving an individual's different needs. This versatility may explain why music is so important to people. Evidence was also found to suggest that the reasons for listening to music may change as people grow older.
四项“使用与满足”研究调查了人们听音乐的原因（研究 1）；以及这些原因是否与其他休闲活动有显著差异（研究 2）。在研究 3 中，采用了开放式、定性研究设计来调查人们听音乐的原因。在研究 4 中，采用了横断面设计来调查不同年龄段的人可能因为不同的原因听音乐的可能性。研究结果表明，人们听音乐的原因有很多，通过比较可以发现，参与者听音乐主要是为了管理/调节情绪。与其他休闲活动的比较表明，在大多数情况下，听音乐在满足个人不同需求方面的评价要好于其他休闲活动。这种多功能性可能解释了为什么音乐对人们如此重要。也有证据表明，随着人们年龄的增长，听音乐的原因可能会发生变化。
