A1 Journal article (refereed)
Reopening the Conversation Between Music Psychology and Music Therapy : A Survey of Interdisciplinary Attitudes (2021)

Carlson, E., & Cross, I. (2021). Reopening the Conversation Between Music Psychology and Music Therapy : A Survey of Interdisciplinary Attitudes. Music Perception, 39(2), 181-201. https://doi.org/10.1525/mp.2021.39.2.181

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Carlson, Emily; Cross, Ian

Journal or series: Music Perception

ISSN: 0730-7829

eISSN: 1533-8312

Publication year: 2021

Publication date: 01/12/2021

Volume: 39

Issue number: 2

Pages range: 181-201

Publisher: University of California Press

Publication country: United States

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1525/mp.2021.39.2.181

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access: 

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/80552

Abstract

Although the fields of music psychology and music therapy share many common interests, research collaboration between the two fields is still somewhat rare. Previous work has identified that disciplinary identities and attitudes towards those in other disciplines are challenges to effective interdisciplinary research. The current study explores such attitudes in music therapy and music psychology. A sample of 123 music therapists and music psychologists answered an online survey regarding their attitudes towards potential interdisciplinary work between the two fields. Analysis of results suggested that participants’ judgements of the attitudes of members of the other discipline were not always accurate. Music therapists indicated a high degree of interest in interdisciplinary research, although in free text answers, both music psychologists and music therapists frequently characterized music therapists as disinterested in science. Music therapists reported seeing significantly greater relevance of music psychology to their own work than did music psychologists of music therapists. Participants’ attitudes were modestly related to their reported personality traits and held values. Results overall indicated interest in, and positive expectations of, interdisciplinary attitudes in both groups, and should be explored in future research.

Keywords: interdisciplinary research; music therapy; music therapists; music psychology; survey research

Free keywords: interdisciplinarity; music therapist; music psychologists; survey; mixed-methods

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2021

JUFO rating: 2