Mr. Sink’s Sociology – Unit 2: The Individual in Society from Birth to Adolescence
LAB #2:
OVERVIEW:
Music has been a basic part of adolescence for generations. Through the years
adolescents have found it very important to listen to the latest hits and own the hottest albums
even though the technology by which they access their music has changed drastically. In fact,
recent studies have shown that American teenagers on average listen to music from 1.5 to 2.5
hours a day (Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics).
Though love of music has been a constant amongst the adolescents of all generations, it
has equally been common for the adults of one generation to regard the music of the younger
generation with suspicion, and in some cases, contempt. As a result, adults often blame popular
music for corrupting the youth and promoting anti-social behavior. Yet, one has to wonder just
how different popular music is today when compared to that of older generations? This lab
seeks to provide an answer to that question. Just follow the directions below to find out!
DIRECTIONS:
1. Survey 20 adolescents (ages 16-19) regarding their tastes in music. Make sure your
questionnaire asks them to list their age, ten favorite songs, favorite genre of music, and
why they like to listen to that type of music.
2. Out of the 200 songs listed in each set of questionnaires, create a list of the top 30
songs. (You want to choose the songs that are mentioned most frequently)
3. Find out what year a parent or guardian graduated high school. Research Billboard’s
Year-End Hot 100 singles for that year, identify the top 30 songs for that year, and list
them on a separate sheet of paper.
4. Listen to all 60 songs from both lists (www.youtube.com). If the YouTube video does not
include the lyrics you may want to read them to give you a clearer idea of the meaning
or message of the song (www.lyrics.com).
5. Analyze all 60 songs. Make sure you create two song analysis charts – one for your
generation and one from your parents’ generation. For each song you listen to answer
the following questions on a separate sheet of paper…
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What is the name of the song?
What artist performed it?
What genre of music does the song represent? (Genres listed in box below)
What is the main theme of the song? (Themes listed in box above)
SONG THEMES:
SONG GENRES:
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Rock
Country
Dance/Electronic
Hip-Hop/Rap
R&B/Soul
Pop
Reggae
Latino
Singer-Songwriter (includes Folk)
Other
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Alienation/ social isolation
Becoming rich/famous
Dealing with loss/death
Defiance to authority
Desire for independence
Drug or alcohol use
Handling stress at home or school
Having a good time (incl. partying)
Love, dating, and relationships
Search for one’s identity
Sexual activity
Violence and/or Crime
6. When you are finished with your research you must use your data to create the
following charts and graphs …
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A BAR GRAPH that compares the themes of the top 30 songs on your
generation’s list with the top 30 from your parent’s generation.
TWO PIE CHARTS that identify the percentage of songs in your study from
each particular genre. One pie chart should be based on the list from your
generation, the other from your parents’ generation.
A TABLE that compares most popular theme by genre for both your generation
and your parents’ generation.
7. Once you have your data, graphs & charts, you must type up your conclusions. Answer
the following questions in a short paper. One-page minimum for each answer.
(Remember to refer to your data to support your answers!)
a) THEMES: Compare the major themes of the songs featured in your study from
both today and the past. Are the most popular themes similar or different?
What societal factors may explain these similarities or differences?
b) GENRES: Did the most popular genres of music change from your parent’s
generation to your generation today? What societal factor may explain these
similarities or differences?
c) STUDY CRITIQUE: Do you think the methods you used to obtain your data in this
study yielded reliable data? Why or why not? Use specific examples of methods
that you believe were effective and/or ineffective.
d) FINAL ANALYSIS: How does the popular music among adolescents today
compare with that of your parents’ generation? Is it more similar or different?
Do you think that the adolescent music today promotes more negative values
and norms in than that of your parents’ generation? Why or why not?