In order to examine the efficacy of music in dealing with daily stressors, automobile drivers were randomly assigned to either a music or nonmusic group. The music group listened to their favorite music, while the nonmusic group abstained from any music or talk radio during their entire commute to or from school or work. Using a cellular telephone, state measures of driver stress were obtained during a single commute in low- and high congestion conditions. A Condition x Music Group interaction was found. Driver stress was greater in high congestion than in low congestion, but the nonmusic group demonstrated extreme levels of stress within high high congestion. Listening to self-selected music appeared to limit driver stress only within highly frustrating and irritating traffic congestion. (A)
Samenvatting