The annual list of our top artists, genres and songs is a mirror that tells us who we’ve been throughout the year, says a Swinburne University of Technology academic.
the music streaming site’s annual presentation of each user’s yearly listening habits. It gives you a fun recap of your most listened to songs, artists and genres from the past year – complete with stats like how many minutes you listened and your top genre “phases” or “moments”.
But what does this mean? We can unpack this further in the psychological theories of self-concept, social comparison and social connection.Self-concept is how we see ourselves. It develops from our experiences and our responses to these experiences.So, when we see a yearly list of our top artists, genres and songs, it’s like looking into a mirror that tells us who we’ve been throughout the year.
But sharing your Wrapped list serves more functions than simply self-expression. It facilitates social comparison and social connection.In 1954, American social psychologist Leon Festinger published his social comparison theory. Seeing someone else with the same song on their list might spark a sense of connection. Seeing that you’re in the top 1 per cent of Taylor Swift fans might make you feel even a little superior .Seeing someone else’s Wrapped can also inspire and validate. If a friend’s list includes a mix of genres you’ve never explored, you might feel encouraged to branch out. Or you might see someone else’s list and feel relieved you’re not the only one obsessed with an artist.
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