How Music and Art Affect Compassion and Perspective Taking: A Collaboration Between UCF RESTORES and Opera Orlando

Authors

Kathryn Sunderman, University of Central Florida, OrlandoFollow

Mentor

Dr. Deborah Beidel

Abstract

The ability of music and art to impact emotions and behavior is well understood based on studies conducted in a laboratory. However, research in a laboratory setting does not always generalize well to a natural environment. In this pilot study, we investigated how attending an opera that portrayed a wartime Christmas truce affected the audience’s levels of empathic concern and perspective-taking. Paired samples t-tests were conducted on data from 63 adult participants (M = 52.17 years). The results indicated that attendance at this operatic performance positively changed both empathic concern and perspective-taking, suggesting that even in a naturalistic setting, music and art possess a transformative ability to change human emotions and behavior.

About the Author

Kathryn Sunderman earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology, with a focus in Clinical Psychology, and a minor in Nonprofit Management from the University of Central Florida. It was there that she worked as an undergraduate research assistant for UCF RESTORES; aiding in critical research in the treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Anxiety disorders.

Recommended Citation

Sunderman, Kathryn (2022) "How Music and Art Affect Compassion and Perspective Taking: A Collaboration Between UCF RESTORES and Opera Orlando," The Pegasus Review: UCF Undergraduate Research Journal: Vol. 14: Iss. 2, Article 1.
Available at: https://stars.library.ucf.edu/urj/vol14/iss2/1