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This dissertation examines music as a vehicle for self-transformation. Specifically, its primary purpose is to understand the transformative experience that selected people had by listening to the music of the Brazilian singer/songwriter Rita Lee. This study is guided by the following research question: What do stories of 6 listeners reveal about the phenomenon of self-transformation through Rita Lee‘s music? In order to investigate this topic, organic inquiry was chosen as the research method. Data were gathered through interviews collected from 6 participants in the form of in-depth personal accounts of lived experience. Analysis of the interviews revealed two sets of factors: (1) aesthetic attractive elements of this music (extrinsic and intrinsic); (2) sensations, images, thoughts, and emotions evoked in the listener. It also revealed six types of transformation the co-researchers went through their contact with this music: self-knowledge, self-acceptance, emotional change, empowerment, catharsis, and spiritual growth. In addition, the findings show that Rita Lee‘s songs were influential in the formation of their personal identities, awareness of social matters, and spiritual worldviews. Moreover, this project discusses the idea that self-identification and inner guidance may be one of the means by which these transformational musical experiences occur.
Advisor: | Ferrer, Jorge |
Commitee: | Jenett, Dianne, Kumler, Kurt |
School: | California Institute of Integral Studies |
Department: | East-West Psychology |
School Location: | United States -- California |
Source: | DAI-A 72/03, Dissertation Abstracts International |
Source Type: | DISSERTATION |
Subjects: | Music, Psychology, Spirituality |
Keywords: | Brazil, Brazilian music, Emotional change, Lee, Rita, Organic inquiry, Self-transformation, Transformational musical experience |
Publication Number: | 3434821 |
ISBN: | 978-1-124-42090-5 |