25 September, 2013 11:52AM AWST

The beat goes on, loudly

Researchers are trying to understand why we like loud music

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It's hot and crowded, the walls resonate to a heavy bass beat. The drums pulse in one ear and out the other.

The scene has been the same in pubs all over the world since the first guitarist plugged in. The only difference between now and then is that once the air would have been filled with smoke as well.

Music fulfils a very powerful need for very young people, Neil McLaughlin, "that is to have excitement, to mingle, to stay up late and to feel different".

Some music is meant to be played loud, "to get you aroused", says Neil, who is an Associate Professor at Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences.

"We're trying to understand why people like loud music."

The role of music in forming tribes is one of the aspects the team is examining.

The ability of music to form audiences isn't confined to rock or samba beats. "Classical music can also be arousing," says Neil.

Listen to the interview as Neil talks about the role of dopamine, and other hormones such as the nurturing hormone, in listening to music.