Language, Literacy, and Sociocultural Studies ETDs

Publication Date

4-1-1976

Abstract

Statement of the Problem

The problem was to provide various kinds of musical experiences for a group of third grade students who had not been exposed to music in their classroom. The activities were designed to permit maximum participation by each student. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of music on sociometric choices and self-concepts of members of the group. A review of the literature revealed that research in music education has produced little evidence concerning the effect of music on interrelationships among groups and the effect of music on self-concepts of individuals. Consequently, the study was performed to obtain information which might serve to evaluate such effects.

Method

The subjects were thirty third grade students at C. T. Sewell Elementary School, Henderson, Nevada. In addition to its participation in the study, involvement by the group satisfied the recommendation of music set forth by the Nevada State Department of Music. During a ten-week period, the group of students participated in musical activities three times a week for forty-five minutes each day. An attempt was made to provide a different kind of musical activity for each session. Daily observations were recorded which noted changes in the group and in individuals. A sociogram and tests of self-appraisal were administered at the beginning of the study and again at its conclusion. The test scores served as indicators as to what each student thought about himself as well as other members while the observations revealed visual changes in the group and in individuals.

Results

The group increased in the number of choices given and received as revealed by the pre- and post-test sociogram and the majority of students increased on the Self­Appraisal Inventory. The results, however, are not conclusive evidence that the musical activities were the contributing factors to the gains. The results may have been influenced by the students being together longer as a group and also by their recognition that the pre- and post-tests were identical.

Conclusions

To conclude that the musical activities were the sole factors attributable to gains which occurred in the group would, perhaps, be inappropriate at this time; however, the study did reveal that music may be one means of providing children with enjoyable experiences resulting in positive changes in interrelationships and self-concepts.

Document Type

Dissertation

Language

English

Degree Name

Language, Literacy and Sociocultural Studies

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

Language, Literacy, and Sociocultural Studies

First Committee Member (Chair)

William M. Seymour

Second Committee Member

David Lawrence Bachelor

Third Committee Member

Robert John Doxtator

Fourth Committee Member

John Anthony Aragon

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