Second, music is as powerful as television for people in general. It affects our moods, our attitudes, our emotions, and our behavior. Third, music is more powerful than television for young people in particular. The American Medical Association concluded in a 1989 report that music is a greater influence in the life of teenagers than television. This position is as false as it is self-serving.
Research establishes three important conclusions.
First, music affects basic attitudes and values. Second, music affects behavior. Third, and most disturbing, consumers of harmful messages internalize them more than consumers of neutral messages. Not surprisingly, two different 1995 surveys found that more teenagers than adults believe popular music encourages antisocial behavior. Unfortunately, destructive messages are now the rule rather than the exception.