Much of the research into the emotional and behavioral effects of popular music has focused on heavy metal, though a few studies have also included rock and grunge music. Overall, the popular belief that listening to certain musical styles causes a variety of behavioral problems is not supported.
Emotional Response
While a number of researchers have associated heavy metal music with depression or anger, these effects do not usually occur when heavy metal is the listener’s musical preference. A study of more than 1,000 gifted students aged 11-18 found that heavy metal music is used for cathartic release and to dissipate negative emotions, particularly among those with low self-esteem (ScienceDaily, 22 March 2007).
Grunge Music Effects
A study of the effects of different types of music found that after listening to grunge music, subjects reported increases in fatigue, tension, sadness and hostility, as well as decreased mental clarity, vigor, relaxation and compassion. However, grunge was likely not the musical preference of these subjects—a study of grunge fans might have produced different results (Kemper & Danhauer, 2005).
Aggression
Some studies have found that individuals become more hostile, aggressive or angry after listening to heavy metal music, whereas others have found no aggressive response. Some researchers have even found that subjects who were angry to begin with become happier, calmer and more relaxed after listening to heavy metal when it is their preferred musical genre.
Suicide
Although the suicide rate is higher than average among rock and heavy metal fans (particularly the latter), a study of students with psychiatric disorders who were also heavy metal fans actually showed improved mood after listening to their music of choice (Wooten, 1992). Other studies of depressed young people have found similar results, suggesting that some people may prefer heavy metal music because they are depressed or even use it to treat their depression in certain cases, rather than becoming depressed as a result of listening to it.
Academic Performance
Some studies have found that adolescents of both genders who listen to heavy metal tend to have lower grades in school. However, this is likely due to aspects of personality or environment (such as high stress) rather than any direct effects of the music itself, given that most low-performing heavy metal fans experienced academic problems before they began listening to heavy metal music (Took & Weiss, 1994).
Intelligence
College students whose musical preferences are alternative, rock or heavy metal actually obtain higher IQ test scores on average, particularly on questions where abstraction is required (Walker & Kreiner, 2006).