The Relationship between Musical Interests and Empathy Ability among Middle School Students

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between musical interests and empathy ability among middle school students in South Korea. For this purpose, I selected two classes with active and non-active musical activities from different middle schools. The results indicated that there was a high correlation between students ’musical interest and empathy abilities. All areas of musical interest were positively correlated with ‘fantasy’, ‘perspective taking’ and ‘empathic concern’ area of empathy ability. For the ability to empathize, all areas showed a highly positive correlation with the interest in emotional responses to music and interest in music activity areas. Also, there was no significant difference in the overall musical interest and ability to empathize based on the level of music activities between the two types of schools. However, the interests of social interaction through music, musicians and singing activities were higher in the schools with active musical activities.