Can music be good company? Research shows it makes our imagination more social

[erronis]

https://phys.org/news/2025-08-music-good-company-social.html

Earlier this year, we asked a group of older adults what music they listened to when feeling lonely, and why. We discovered music was a powerful coping mechanism and source of escapism.

Other studies have also found listeners use music "to keep them company." Such reports suggest music might be able to shape listeners' thoughts and imagination to provide social solace.

But can we establish scientifically how music affects imagination? In short, can music really be good company? Our latest research published in Scientific Reports tried to find out.

Music and mental images

It's common to experience mental imagery—that is a mental simulation or imagining something that is not there—while listening to music. Studies have found 77% of music listeners online, 73% of participants in the lab, and 83% of concert-goers report experiences of mental imagery during music listening.

What's going on here? To get a better understanding, we previously carried out a series of experiments with mental imagery and music.

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