music resource review: Psychology of rock youtube channel

​By Jess Santacroce
Music Writer, Phoenix Radio

The YouTube channel “Psychology of Rock” blends music with Psychology. It is owned and hosted by Nena Lavonne, Psy. M. As someone with both a Master’s degree in Psychology and an extensive background in music, Lavonne offers a unique perspective on both the psychology of musicians and music fans, and the impact of music on mental health. While much of the content can be applied to any and all music, there is a strong emphasis on metal, with some punk-related content. As of the publication of this article, there are 133 videos on the channel, spanning back three years.

In “Metalheads and the Psychology of Outsiders,” Lavonne explains the reasons people who feel like “outsiders,” those who are not a part of the mainstream, or the “popular” crowd or “in” group, tend to be drawn to metal music. While many outside of the community of metal fans simply brush it off as angry people enjoying angry music, LaVonne offers both a more nuanced and a much more empathetic perspective. She begins by describing the music as similar to “an understanding friend,” one that gives the listener permission to express, discuss, and deal with emotions most other parts of our culture tell us we shouldn’t even be feeling, never mind indulging in. Metal, Lavonne further explains, also provides a sense of belonging, something that is necessary for our psychological health, no matter how much we might embrace the label of “outsider.” At the same time, part of the appeal of metal culture is that it is not meant for everyone, making it feel a bit like an exclusive club. 

As with most of the videos on her channel, Lavonne uses the metal fan subculture as a springboard to teach her audience relevant terms from the field of Psychology. In “Metalheads and the Psychology of Outsiders,” we first learn about “self erasure.” Lavonne describes this psychological phenomenon as “the psychological process of minimizing, suppressing, or abandoning our core traits, emotions, or values in order to be accepted by others.” Those who identify as “metalheads” tend to be unwillingly to engage in this process. Viewers also learn about “stigma reversal,” which LaVonne teaches, “is when groups that have been marginalized reclaim the qualities that have been used to exclude them and reframe those traits as meaningful or valuable.”

In “The Brains of Guitar Players vs Drummers: A Neurological Comparison,” Lavonne details the ways that playing guitar and playing the drums rewrite the brain. She begins by explaining that some differences likely existed before, as instrument selection is not random, but is dependent on several factors, including individual psychological factors. For this video, Lavonne focuses on distinct parts of the brain, first explaining the function of that area of the brain, and then describing the unique ways it functions for guitar players and drummers. In the span of 11 minutes and 20 seconds, she teaches her audience about the location and function of several parts of the brain, and explains the unique ways that this functioning works in guitar players and in drummers.

Other videos on the channel take a more experimental approach, asking an original question from the fields of Psychology and music, and seeking to answer it in the video. One asks if Progressive Metal fans can detect AI generated music. Another explores the answer to the question of why introverts tend to like the band “Rush.” In a video from a year ago, Lavonne asks and answers a question many viewers may have, that of how to learn to play the guitar if you have ADHD.

Regardless of the topic, Lavonne comes across as that cool punk/metal woman you know from around the local arts scene, but had no idea she had an advanced degree in Psychology until she sat back and started teaching you psychological terms and neuroscience between sets. There is no pretension or any attempt to sound “academic,” despite the fact that she speaks with authority,and offers references to all of the studies she used to conduct her research for each video. Watching these videos is like taking the Psychology class you wish had existed back when you were in college if you went, or the one that would have made you want to go to college if you didn’t. Those who learn science at a much slower pace than they learn other subjects (like me) may need to occasionally stop and rewind to fully grasp some of the material about brain functions, but the more advanced material is always clearly illustrated with graphs and/or written notes on the screen, making it easy to find the spot you need to go over one more time.

Psychology of Rock is the perfect binge watching channel for anyone both passionate about music and deeply interested in psychology. It may also be a helpful resource for anyone passionate about music but stuck in a psychology class they struggle to engage in and feel like they’re just taking to rack up a needed college credit. The channel may also help mental health professionals better understand and relate to their music focused clients,  or offer those who are more interested in science better insight into their musician colleagues and friends.

To watch any of the videos reviewed in this article, or to watch and subscribe to the Psychology of Rock YouTube channel, visit Psychology of Rock – YouTube















All opinions and observations expressed in this review are that of the article’s author. Nobody associated with “Psychology of Rock” on YouTube supports, endorses, or sponsors anything stated here.