Table of contents:
- What are earworms?
- If earworm already very annoying, how to get rid of it?
- 1. Eat chewing gum
- 2. Make a sound
- 3. Focus on something else
- 4. Listen to the song, from start to finish
- is earworm dangerous?
Shortly after listening to that very song catchy, even if we find the song annoying, sometimes the song is "left over" in our minds. We seem imagined by the tone, the lyrics, even the sound of a musical instrument, or backsound of the background singer. Often times, the song seems stuck and doesn't want to get out of our minds. That is what is called earworm. Hmm, that's normal no, huh?
What are earworms?
Earworm, or "ohrwurm“In German, it is a phenomenon when a piece of music rings in our minds and cannot disappear by itself like a broken cassette.
James J. Kellaris, a PhD from the University of Cincinnati, conducted a study of 559 American students and found 10 lists of songs that caused the most earworm, including "Who Let the Dogs Out" and "We Will Rock You".
The students also stated that the song was the cause earworm 15% came from jingle commercials and 11% are instrumental songs. This is in accordance with the factors that can cause earworm, that is, a song with repeating lyrics, a tone that is catchy, an unusual rhythm.
If earworm already very annoying, how to get rid of it?
Sometimes the song that rings in your head is jingle repetitive commercials on television, or popular songs that you actually hate. Of course it sucks if the song continues all day long in your head, making you unable to concentrate. If so, there are several ways to stop it.
1. Eat chewing gum
According to research from Philip Beaman and colleagues, eating chewing gum can stimulate the tongue, teeth, and organs that trigger the release of words to reduce the brain's work in forming musical and sound memories.
2. Make a sound
Victoria Williamson of the University of Sheffield states that keeping the brain "busy" can reduce the effects of earworm. Jobs such as reciting a prayer, poetry, or singing a song that is completely different than what comes to our mind can be effectively detracting earworm.
3. Focus on something else
Trying to remember today's schedule, review yesterday morning's lecture, or some other thought work can be a great way to reduce the effects earworm. The key to this is not trying too hard and too relaxed, according to Ira Hyman, professor of psychology at Western Washington University
4. Listen to the song, from start to finish
Because it's inside a phenomenon earworm usually what continues to rotate in the head is only a piece or one part of the song, try to listen to all the songs, from the beginning to the complete end.
is earworm dangerous?
According to Kellaris at the conference Consumer Psychology, 97% -99% of people in the world have a tendency to experience earworm. So of course this is very normal for everyone.
No need to worry if earworm haunts your life, however, if you hear a song (not ringing in your mind) even though no one actually installed the song, you need to contact a psychologist. There is a phenomenon known as endomusia, an obsession that causes people to hear music that is not actually playing.
