The emotions experienced while listening to dramatic film scores can be attributed to a combination of psychological and physiological factors. Our brains have evolved to associate certain sounds and musical patterns with specific emotional responses. For instance, dissonance, or unresolved musical tension, evokes unease and anxiety. Conversely, resolution or consonance in music yields a sense of satisfaction and emotional release. Film scores often exploit these musical patterns to augment the emotions depicted on screen. Physiologically, music elicits an emotional response through the release of neurochemicals, such as dopamine, which influences our moods. Additionally, the amygdala, a brain region associated with emotional processing, becomes more active when we listen to emotionally-charged music, further intensifying the experience.
Imagine a scene from a dramatic film when the main character is close to losing their life, and the tension is palpable. While watching this scene, you feel a sense of dread and unease.
You are a psychologist specializing in the way music impacts human emotions. A journalist has asked you to explain the psychological and physiological mechanisms behind the emotions one experiences while listening to dramatic film scores. How do you explain this?