The Role of Embodied Simulation and Visual Imagery in Emotional Contagion with Music

Emotional contagion has been explained as arising from embodied simulation. The two most accepted theories of music-induced emotions presume a mechanism internal mimicry: the BRECVEMA framework proposes that melodic aspect music elicits mimicry leading to induction basic in listener, and Multifactorial Process Model observation or imagination motor expressions musicians muscular neural mimicry, emotional contagion. Two behavioral studies investigated whether, what extent, is responsible for emotion contagion, second, extent context affective responses form visual imagery moderates responses. Experiment 1 tested whether influenced by manipulating explicit vocal mimicry. In one condition, participants engaged aspects singing along with music, another, musician’s gestures when producing playing (“air guitar”-style). experiment did not find confirmatory evidence either hypothesized simulation mechanism, but it provide spontaneous consistent induced perceived emotions. 2 used imagined rather than performed found no association between intensity. descriptions read prior hearing type support prediction associated semantic knowledge shape listeners’ experiences music. lack causal role suggests current theorization needs refinement reduce relative other mechanisms. Evidence states can be modulated contextual associations model constructionist accounts.