Do violent music lyrics help vent powerful feelings or increase aggressive thoughts and emotions? Psychology researchers completed five experiments to examine effects of songs with violent lyrics on aggressive thoughts and hostile feelings. More than 500 Midwestern college students listened to both violent songs, referencing aggression and acts of violence, and nonviolent songs. Word-association tasks tested whether the students linked more non-aggressive words with aggressive words or filled incomplete words with vowels to make aggressive words. Exposure to Violent Media: The Effects of Songs With Violent Lyrics on Aggressive Thoughts and Feelings.