Suicide, Metal Music and Expectancy Theory
In: Can I Play with Madness? Metal, Dissonance, Madness and AlienationSearch for other papers by Alick Kay in
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Can music have an impact on those contemplating suicide? Considering the wide range of genres of music, metal would have to have the greatest number of references made to death and dying as evidenced by band names such as Death, Suicidal Tendencies and Napalm Death. Would listening to these bands increase the chances of suicide or is there a personality factor that needs to be considered? The research suggests that there is no evidence that would support the notion that any music causes suicide, however, there are reports of metal music being associated with suicide. The expectancy motivation theory developed by Victor Vroom is used to explore the motivational force for suicide. Issues such as the strength of desire to suicide as well as the expectation of the ability to carry out the act are considered in application of the theory.