rock music

[repp@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

One important factor that has not yet been mentioned in this semi-serious
discussion is volume. I believe it is uncontroversial to claim that,
the louder the music (especially if it is rhythmic and hard-driving),
the more of an energizing effect it will have on the listener. And if
that listener is already horny or inclined to violence, the music may
well increase these tendencies in proportion to the volume at which it
is played.

However, the reference to sex should probably be restricted to highly
active, violent, and abusive mating. There are more gentle and sophisticated
forms of sex that are unlikely to be enhanced by the ear-splitting beats
of rock. It is unfortunate that sex is commonly conceptualized in terms of
a simple rigid periodicity, when in fact gesture and expression are just
as important in this pleasurable activity as they are in music.

Bruno H. Repp
Haskins Laboratories
270 Crown Street
New Haven, CT 06511-6695

Phone:   (203) 865-6163 (10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.)
FAX:     (203) 865-8963
e-mail:  repp@haskins.yale edu
WWW:     http://www.haskins.yale.edu/Haskins/STAFF/repp.html

McGill is running a new version of LISTSERV (1.8c on Windows NT). 
Information is available on the WEB at http://www.mcgill.ca/cc/listserv