Earworms (stuck song syndrome)

Towards a natural history of intrusive thoughts

Bibliographic Data

ID5267467
AuthorsC Philip Beaman (0000-0001-5124-242X, University of Reading, corresponding author), Tim I Williams (0000-0003-0072-3316, Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust)
Year2010
Volume101
Issue4
Pages637-653
Publication date2010-11-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueBritish Journal of Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0007-1269 • E-ISSN: 2044-8295
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1348/000712609x479636
PMID19948084
OpenAlexW2121073251
LanguageEN
Citations received29
References cited14

Two studies examine the experience of 'earworms', unwanted catchy tunes that repeat. Survey data show that the experience is widespread but earworms are not generally considered problematic, although those who consider music to be important to them report earworms as longer, and harder to control, than those who consider music as less important. The tunes which produce these experiences vary considerably between individuals but are always familiar to those who experience them. A diary study confirms these findings and also indicates that, although earworm recurrence is relatively uncommon and unlikely to persist for longer than 24 h, the length of both the earworm and the earworm experience frequently exceed standard estimates of auditory memory capacity. Active attempts to block or eliminate the earworm are less successful than passive acceptance, consistent with Wegner's theory of ironic mental control

Cognitive psychology · Control (management) · Developmental psychology · Natural (archaeology) · Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes · Music Therapy and Health · Neuroscience and Music Perception · Psychology · Social Psychology

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