CUP Undergraduate Research
Title
The Influence of Hip-Hop on Perceptions of Authority
Date of Award
12-1-2014
Document Type
Restricted Access Thesis
College
College of Theology, Arts, & Sciences
Department
Psychology
Degree Name
Psychology, BA
First Advisor
Erin Mueller, PhD
Abstract
In recent years, the genre of music known as hip-hop has become a prominent facet of popular culture. In light of this societal relevance and the observed perpetual influence of other genres of music, research regarding the perceptual impact of hip-hop has begun to take place. However, little research exists regarding the influence of hip-hop consumption on the listeners’ perceptions of authority figures. This study utilized an online surveying method to determine participants’ hip-hop consumption rates and their views regarding authority. The findings of this study indicated that no correlation exists between hip-hop consumption and perceptions of authority, although a significant difference in perceptions of authority was found between low and high consumers of hip-hop music. Further research should continue to examine the genre’s potential for perceptual influence while also addressing the limitations of this study.