GI Griffin | Music's Psychological and Social Influence on People

04 Nov Music’s Psychological and Social Influence on People

Posted at 07:30h in Featured, GI SAID IT by GI Griffin

GI gives his perspective as a professional DJ and mix engineer on how music has psychological effects on humans. It’s not just something to listen to, it actively influences our emotions and actions.

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Music is more than a playlist on your phone or background noise in a bar—it’s a damn powerful tool for shaping emotions, memories, and behavior. It’s not just “entertainment”; it’s a bit of emotional manipulation. Yeah, you heard me—manipulation. From turning up the bass to get people dancing more to playing nostalgic tracks that brings strangers together at a club, music can twist your feelings and actions to achieve someone’s goal (not always a bad thing). DJs? Marketing campaigns? Playlists with “mood vibes”? All of it is purposefully crafted to move you in a particular direction emotionally.

But here’s the kicker—most people have no idea how or why it works. If that’s you, buckle up because this is a blunt rundown of how music affects your psychology and how people—especially “professionals”—often use it to pull your strings.

“The DJ Is Just There to Play Songs” – WRONG.

First up—ditch the idea that a DJ’s job is just to play bangers all night. Newsflash—your iPhone can do that. A DJ’s REAL job is to read the room like a psychologist and manipulate the crowd to get them to do a specific thing. Drink more at the bar. Hit the dance floor. Socialize with strangers. Whatever the goal, the music is the tool used to make you do it.

When I was DJing at one of the biggest clubs in Sacramento, I learned fast how to control a crowd. People were trickling in slowly, so I wouldn’t play the hits right away—why waste the best songs when it’s the beginning of the night? Instead, I leaned on tracks that made people reminisce, socialize, and get comfortable with each other. If they hated the song? Perfect. Talk trash about the DJ together. Hate me, fine—but hate me as a group. That social connection sets the stage for a wild night later. Hello psychological manipulation.

The science? Emotion drives action. Play the right songs, trigger the right emotions, and bam—you’ve got your crowd doing exactly what you want them to do.

The Power of Frequencies and Vibes

Now, here’s where it gets deeper. Music isn’t just about melodies and lyrics—it’s also about frequencies. Yeah, vibrations. And guess what? Those low-end bass frequencies you feel in your chest? More manipulation.

At that Sacramento club gig, the subwoofer would cut out every 20 minutes (janky as hell), and the impact on the crowd was immediate. When the bass died, the dance floor emptied. When it came back on, and the crowd came running back. It’s bass and low frequencies are in a way primal. That deep bass makes your body feel something, driving movement and amplifying excitement.

If you’ve ever been to a concert or a club and felt the music in your body, you get it. But don’t think this is just limited to clubs—it’s everywhere. Even when engineers mix tracks, every decision about highs, mids, and lows is intentional. Want the listener aggressive? Boost or distort the low-end. Want them hyped? Dial up those exciting high frequencies. Want their attention? Mids forward—that’s where the vocals live.

Music isn’t just sound—it’s energy, and it can be used to create emotional and psychological shifts.

Weaponized for Therapy (and Control)

But it’s not all bad. Sometimes, music’s manipulation can actually help you process emotions. Got anger to burn off? Crank up something heavy and aggressive. Feeling heartbroken? Play the saddest damn song you can find and cry it out. It’s like therapy—except instead of a therapist, you’ve got Spotify on repeat.

Here’s the kicker though—relying too much on music to fix your emotional state is a bit problematic. Constantly escaping into music to regulate your feelings? That’s dependency territory. Like any tool, it’s effective when used correctly, but lean on it too hard and you lose the one thing you actually need—emotional regulation skills.

Music as Social Influence

If you think this manipulation only affects individuals, think again. Whole industries use music to control behavior. Retail stores can play specific playlists to make you in a better mood to buy more. Politicians use rally music to hype up supporters. Want to sell products? Hit the nostalgia button with throwback tracks and watch people buy stuff they don’t need just to relive a memory.

Music isn’t just art—it’s science, and it’s business. Clubs hire DJs who know how to keep you drinking, social connections grow during shared musical experiences, and brands tweak entire soundtracks based on psychological studies.

Why Balancing Your Music Matters

Now, here’s a pro tip from someone who’s studied this for decades—don’t overdose on your favorite hits. Listening only to feel-good tracks back-to-back? It’s like eating dessert for every meal. Exciting at first, sure. But you’ll burn out fast.

What’s the fix? Balance. Mix it up—play something nostalgic, something new, something sad, something hype. Keep your emotions moving. That’s not just good music taste; that’s emotional health 101.

Pro DJs do this on purpose. They don’t burn through all the hits in the first hour of a party. Why? Because once the crowd has gotten what they want, there’s no investment left. The trick is to give them what they didn’t know they needed. That’s how you keep them coming back for more.

Streaming Algorithms and Emotion Burnout

Oh, and while we’re on the topic, here’s why your go-to streaming service is kind of screwing you over. Those algorithms feeding you “songs you’ll love”? A trap. They’re designed for comfort, not growth. And when all you hear is what you already know you like, you stop exploring. You plateau emotionally and musically.

Here’s what to do—break the chain. Go outside your comfort zone. Listen to a genre you’ve never liked before. Try tracks from a culture you’ve never explored. Surprise yourself.

Music Psychology Is a Game—Learn How to Play It

At the end of the day, music psychology is about understanding the game. Whether you’re a DJ, a casual listener, or a business profiting from the power of music, the rules are clear—emotions drive behavior, frequencies amplify feelings, and balance keeps things fresh.

How you use this knowledge is up to you. But one thing’s certain—music, when “weaponized” intentionally, can create profound emotional experiences. The key is to wield that power responsibly.

Consider this part one. There’s a whole lot more to say about how music shapes not just humans but even plants (yeah, plants). But if nothing else, take this away—music isn’t just sound, it’s influence. Manage it wisely.

GI’s unique perspective delivered in a style that is unapologetically honest, straight to the point, and at times a bit brutal. GI SAID IT: Brutally honest, no BS. Click for more GI SAID IT shows and articles.