It’s a debate that will be familiar to many millennial friendship groups and has undoubtedly dominated many recent conversations.
What is it about Taylor Swift that makes her so stratospherically popular?
His music has not only raised more than 26 billion currents in Spotify and helped attract more than 281 million on her Instagram page, she has also attracted a new audience as the girlfriend of Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.
Meanwhile, millions more tuned in to last night’s Superbowl game to see her in the VIP box, cheering on her boyfriend.
Now, experts have revealed the intriguing, science-based reasons why Swift is so popular. global phenomenon, and has little to do with his true personality.
Experts have revealed that there is a science behind Taylor Swift’s success, including her relatability and catchy yet meaningful lyrics.
Experts believe Taylor’s longevity makes her a success. “She’s young, but she’s had a pretty long career, so her words have been out there,” said Dr. Cynthia Gordon, associate professor of linguistics at Georgetown University.
One of the main factors, experts say, is simple familiarity. The more Taylor and her music surround our daily lives, the more we like her.
This is a psychological phenomenon known as the “mere exposure effect”: Studies involving repeated television advertisements have found that viewers prefer the products they see on the screen most often.
A study published in Plus one He had participants undergo imaging tests to see what types of music activated the brain’s reward system.
Researchers found that people who listened to music they were familiar with were more likely to have the pleasure centers in their brains light up than those who listened to music they said they liked.
“Familiarity appears to be a crucial factor for listeners to become emotionally engaged with music,” the team wrote.
Another reason for the 34-year-old’s popularity is that her songs are exceptionally catchy. And scientists have dissected what constitutes an earworm.
A 2017 study from the American Psychological Association, for example, found that catchy songs include “melodic turning points” between different sections of the song, such as the verse, chorus, and bridge.
Researchers note that in Taylor’s case, she often uses one-note melodies in certain sections of her songs that slowly build up.
‘She is able to not take herself seriously. She can be funny and she can be silly. And I think a lot of people, including myself, appreciate that,” Dr. Gordon said.
Psychologists said many of Taylor’s fans grew up alongside her, meaning many of them experienced their first relationships and heartbreak around the same time she did.
Dr. Cynthia Gordon, an associate professor of linguistics at Georgetown University, said on a university blog that Taylor’s longevity – beginning with her 2007 debut album – makes her a success.
“He’s young, but he’s had a pretty long career, so his words have come to light,” he said.
‘We also have music videos and social networks that have spread their music. These letters have been everywhere and they are persistent.’
Dr. Gordon also called Taylor “a particularly talented lyricist,” causing fans to pay more attention to what she says and spend time analyzing her meaning.
“He likes to include Easter eggs in his songs with meanings that only his true fans can identify and discover,” he said. “That’s why I think the role of language in his work stands out a lot, and that has made people pay special attention to it.”
Dr. Melissa A. Fabello, a relationship counselor in California, previously told DailyMail.com that it’s “not surprising” that fans feel validated by Taylor’s music, particularly because she allows her lyrics to be vulnerable.
“What Taylor Swift does fantastically is creating a narrative world, one that explores many aspects of the human experience, including fears of both abandonment and entanglement,” he said.
Enmeshment occurs when partners, friends, or family members lack emotional independence, meaning they feel like they have to be together at all times or that they have no autonomy.
However, not all of his songs require attention to detail. Dr. Gordon also pointed out Taylor’s hit ‘Shake It Off’, where she responds to haters and ‘shakes off’ negative criticism of her.
‘For me, it’s a fun song. “It’s a catchy song and it also reveals to many of her fans that Taylor Swift knows how to take a joke,” she said.
‘She is able to not take herself seriously. She can be funny and she can be silly. And I think a lot of people, including myself, appreciate that.”
Dr. Alexandra Gold, a licensed clinical psychologist at Harvard Medical School, told Harvard Gazette: ‘In Taylor’s case, there are a couple of things happening. The first piece is the relationship.
“Although there are aspects of her that may not seem very relatable (she is a celebrity and lives a very different life than her fans), what she sings, the lyrical content and the emotions that underlie the lyrical content, are very relatable with many people.’
“There is something that is very common in the human experience.”
Dr. Gold said this sense of connection is especially strong among millennials and Generation Z, who witnessed Taylor’s rise to fame and grew up alongside her.
“When they were having some of these early experiences, maybe with relationships or entering adulthood, she would do it at the same time and sing about it,” he said.
“The story of his life corresponds to the story of his life, in some ways.”
Additionally, Dr. Gold noted that Taylor is so popular because she is a role model. “She is a great example of someone who sticks to her values and shows her followers that they can achieve her goals, whatever they may be,” she said.
He noted that Taylor re-released her albums in an effort to regain the rights to her music and have more control over her wealth.
“Seeing someone do something like that could inspire a lot of young people,” Dr. Gold said.