The perceptions of adolescent boys regarding music participation and social behaviour

Abstract

This study is an exploration of adolescent boys’ perceptions of the relationship between music participation and social behaviour. Adolescent boys have been identified by the literature as a social group in particular need of support and programs that encourage prosocial behaviour and protect against or discourage antisocial behaviour. The data were collected from seven boys from an all boys’ state comprehensive school in Sydney. The boys ranged from Year 7 to Year 10. Data collection involved two focus group discussions and employed semi-structured questioning. Grounded theory was developed through open and axial coding of the transcribed data. It was found that adolescents perceive this relationship as a complex one, with many factors influencing both music participation and social behaviour. Results indicated that participants felt that the culture of the music ensemble, the genre of music and the degree of autonomous learning were all factors influencing this relationship. These results generate numerous avenues for further research, and add to the growing body of knowledge on music participation and social behaviour in adolescent boys.