Whether you are a devoted music fan or simply listen to the radio to pass the time, we all listen to music. However, when listening to music, no one stops to think about what they are doing. No one stops to contemplate how the music they are listening to affects them psychologically. We just listen to music and have fun. In reality, however, much research has been conducted to determine the psychophysiological effects of music. Many studies have been conducted to determine whether music can help people suffering from psychological and medical disorders, scholars continually debate whether music can influence behavior, and researchers are trying to understand what happens in our brains when we listen to music. effects that listening to music can have on people, we must take into account how different musical genres can have different effects. Many people, including religious and community leaders, have warned the public about the dangers of listening to violent music such as rap and metal. They claim that when people listen to violent music it incites violent behavior. However in my research I found many conflicting opinions. Some believe that violent music can cause even extremely violent behavior. In his testimony before the Senate subcommittee, Raymond Kuntz, father of a teenager who committed suicide, claimed that heavy metal music was directly responsible for his son's suicide. According to Kuntz, his son took his own life while listening to a particularly violent heavy metal song (Kuntz). Similarly, in an article appearing in Greenhaven Press, Thomas L Jipping argues that heavy metal and rap music romanticize violent behavior and could lead vulnerable young people to commit violence... middle of paper ......des. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2004. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from “The Link Between Rap Music and Youth Crime and Violence: A Review of the Literature and Questions for Future Research.” Justice Professional 11 (February 1999): 339. Opposing Views in Context. Network. October 22, 2013.Tseng, Ying-Fen, Chung-Hey Chen, and ChihChen S. Lee. “Effects of listening to music on postpartum stress and anxiety levels.” Journal of Clinical Nursing 19.7/8 (2010): 1049-1055. Academic research completed. Network. October 24, 2013.UM Nater, et al. “Listening to music and physiological and psychological functioning: the mediating role of emotion regulation and stress reactivity.” Psychology and Health 27.2 (2012): 227-241. Academic research completed. Network. October 22, 2013.Yehuda, Nehama. "Music and stress". Journal of Adult Development 18.2 (2011): 85-94. Academic research completed. Network. November 13. 2013.