People who get emotionally moved by movies and music usually display these 8 unique traits (according to psychology)

Do you ever find yourself moved to tears by a poignant movie scene, or feel chills creep up your spine when listening to a particular piece of music?

You’re not alone.

There’s a distinct group of people who are deeply affected by movies and music, and it turns out, they share some unique traits.

According to psychology, these emotional reactions are not random, but a result of distinct characteristics.

In this article, we’re going to discuss these traits, shedding light on what makes us human and how our minds interact with art.

Get ready to learn something fascinating about yourself!

1) High empathetic sensitivity

Ever wonder why some people are more emotionally moved by movies and music than others? Psychology points to one major factor: high empathetic sensitivity.

These people have a heightened ability to empathize with others, often experiencing emotions as deeply as if they were their own.

This trait extends to the stories and characters they encounter in movies, and the emotional narratives conveyed through music.

This isn’t to say that if you don’t cry during a sad movie, you’re not empathetic.

But those with higher empathetic sensitivity may find themselves more emotionally invested in the fictional narratives they consume.

This unique trait allows them to connect deeply with artistic expressions, amplifying the emotional impact of movies and music on them.

It’s like having an emotional amplifier turned up high – every note or scene can resonate powerfully within them.

2) Intense absorption

Another unique trait that people like us – who get emotionally moved by movies and music – often share is the ability to become intensely absorbed in what we’re experiencing.

Let me share a personal experience. I remember watching the movie “The Pursuit of Happyness” for the first time.

As I watched Will Smith’s character navigate through his struggles, I found myself completely immersed in his journey. I felt his despair, his determination, and ultimately, his joy.

I wasn’t just watching a movie; I was living the story alongside him. The boundaries between the screen and my own reality blurred.

And that level of deep absorption amplified the emotional impact of the film.

Similarly, when I listen to a powerful piece of music, it’s like I’m transported into another world.

The lyrics, the melody, the rhythm – they all weave together to create an emotional landscape that I can explore and connect with.

3) Openness to experience

In the world of psychology, there’s a well-regarded concept known as the “Big Five” personality traits. One of these traits is “Openness to Experience”.

People high in this trait are typically imaginative, adventurous, and have a broad range of interests – from art and literature to science and exploration.

They’re often more receptive to new ideas and experiences, including movies and music.

Research has shown a strong correlation between high levels of openness to experience and emotional responsiveness to music.

In fact, people who scored high on this trait were more likely to get chills when listening to music.

It’s not just about the willingness to try new things or explore different genres of music and film.

It’s about letting these experiences in, allowing them to touch us, change us, and stir our emotions.

4) Vivid imagination

You know that feeling when you’re watching a movie or listening to a song and it’s as if you’re right there, living in that moment? That’s the power of a vivid imagination at work.

People who often find themselves emotionally moved by movies and music usually have a vibrant imagination.

They can easily visualize scenarios, places, and emotions. This visualization creates a more profound connection with the content, leading to stronger emotional reactions.

For instance, during a dramatic movie scene, they might imagine themselves in the character’s shoes, experiencing their struggles and triumphs.

When listening to music, they might create detailed mental images or stories that align with the lyrics or mood of the song.

5) Strong connectivity between auditory and emotional brain regions

This one might sound a bit technical, but stay with me. Our brains are complex networks of different regions, each responsible for various functions.

Interestingly, people who get emotionally moved by music tend to have stronger connectivity between the parts of the brain that process sound (auditory cortex) and the areas that handle emotions.

This means that when they listen to music or watch a movie, there’s a stronger neural response linking what they hear to how they feel.

It’s like having a superhighway in your brain that directly connects sounds and emotions, enabling a more immediate and profound emotional reaction to artistic stimuli.

So, if you’re someone who gets goosebumps when listening to a powerful song or feels a lump in your throat during an emotional movie scene, you can probably thank your brain’s unique wiring for the experience!

6) Deep appreciation for art

At the core of those who are profoundly moved by movies and music, lies a deep and heartfelt appreciation for art.

They see movies and music not just as entertainment, but as expressions of human experience, emotion, and creativity.

It’s not just about the story told on the screen or the notes played in a song. It’s about the passion poured into every scene, every line of dialogue, every strummed chord, and every crafted lyric.

They appreciate the dedication, the love, and the vulnerability it takes to create something that can touch another’s heart.

This deep appreciation allows them to connect on an emotional level with movies and music, enabling  a more profound and moving experience.

7) Sensitivity to beauty

I was once asked why I find sunsets so breathtaking. To me, it’s the unspoken poetry of the sky, the way colors blend and dance as the day gives way to night.

This sensitivity to beauty extends beyond natural phenomena. It’s also about recognizing and being moved by the beauty in movies and music.

There’s beauty in a well-written dialogue, in a character’s transformation, in the crescendo of a symphony, or in the raw emotion of a singer’s voice.

This beauty can stir emotions, make us reflect, inspire us, or even bring us to tears.

8) Comfort with negative emotions

You might think that individuals who are often moved by movies and music would lean towards the happier, uplifting content. Surprisingly, that’s not always the case.

Many people who find themselves deeply affected by art also have a comfort with negative emotions.

They’re not afraid to feel sadness, grief, or anger – they embrace these emotions as part of the human experience.

This comfort allows them to fully experience and appreciate movies and music that elicit these emotions without shying away or suppressing their feelings.

They understand that not all stories have happy endings, and not all songs are about love and joy.

The emotional symphony within

As fascinating as it is, our reactions to movies and music aren’t just random emotional outbursts. They’re a reflection of a complex interplay of unique traits, neural wiring, and yes – even our biochemistry.

In fact, researchers have found that when we are moved by music or movies, our brains release dopamine – a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward.

It’s this release of dopamine that gives us the chills, the goosebumps, the tearful eyes when we are deeply touched by a piece of art.

Each emotional reaction to a film scene or a melody is a testament to your high empathetic sensitivity, your vivid imagination, your openness to experience, and other unique traits we’ve explored in this article.