Open Access Kent State (OAKS)

People listen to music for many different reasons. However, few researchers have examined people's motives for listening to music and the potential social effects of music listening. This study addressed this gap in the communication literature, and employed a uses-and-gratifications theoretical framework. Exploratory factor analyses were used to identify 5 music-listening motives and 7 music genre preferences. In addition, hierarchical regression analysis revealed how antecedents predicted music discussion with others. Possible theoretical implications for both uses-and-gratifications and two-step flow theory were discussed.