Emotion and the Film Scores

An Empirical Approach

by Hilary Schaefer

This paper discusses some common assumptions made about the emotional effects of film scores and outlines several empirical studies that could be performed in order to test these assumptions. The studies are intended as suggestions; they have not been carried out by the author of this paper.

The purpose of this paper is to focus on a particular topic within the arts and explore how one could study it using techniques of experimental psychology. These studies have practical applications for filmmakers who may be able to use findings from the experiments to enhance the emotional quality of their films.

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