What Your Film, Series and Music Choices Reveal About Empathy

Psychology research suggests that the series, music and feature films we choose do more than simply fill our time. They may reveal a need for particular emotions, sometimes to a far greater extent than we realise.

The finding may seem surprising: people who are especially cooperative and empathetic often appear drawn to stories that evoke warmth, connection or hope. Conversely, repeatedly consuming highly aggressive, cynical or humiliating content can coincide with a stronger appetite for confrontation. This does not mean anyone can be judged from a single film, but the pattern is worth considering.

Kindness is more than good manners

In psychology, kindness is closely linked to a personality trait known as agreeableness. It refers to a tendency to show empathy, cooperate, listen and seek compromise when tensions rise. An agreeable person is not necessarily naïve: they can set boundaries without causing needless hurt.

This trait belongs to the five-factor personality model, commonly called the Big Five. People with high agreeableness scores generally value trust and harmony in their relationships. Those with lower scores may be more competitive, suspicious or blunt, without necessarily lacking positive qualities.

Why your screens can feed certain emotions

Entertainment has a powerful emotional role. After a difficult day, some people turn to a comforting story, a gentle song or a comedy that brings back a little lightness. Others seek the adrenaline, anger, fear or intensity of a dark storyline.

Research into cultural preferences suggests that we often choose content that fits our temperament. An empathetic person may favour stories about solidarity, reconciliation or protecting those who are most vulnerable. Such choices do not erase life's difficulties, but they may support a more open and warm-hearted state of mind.

Films that appeal to the most empathetic personalities

Deeply kind people do not all watch the same type of film, despite what an overly simple formula might suggest. They may enjoy a thriller, a drama or even a violent work when the story examines the human consequences of people's actions. What seems to matter more is the dominant feeling that remains after the credits roll.

They are often drawn to narratives in which characters support and understand one another, or find a way forward despite fear and hardship. Stories of family, friendship, resilience, justice or second chances may affect them particularly strongly. Even when a film is sad, it often gives them a sense of hope rather than enjoyment rooted in contempt or cruelty.

The subtle trap of content that sustains tension

Dark fiction does not automatically turn a viewer into a hardened or aggressive person. However, when anger, humiliation and violence become the main emotions sought every day, it can be helpful to pause and reflect. Your mood, sleep and patience with those close to you can sometimes show what your viewing routine is encouraging.

Cynical content can have an understandable appeal: it can feel as though it shows the world without a filter. Yet in large amounts, it may foster a defensive outlook in which nobody truly deserves trust. In the face of this spiral, occasionally choosing a more humane work is not a sign of weakness, but a form of emotional self-protection.

How to check what your tastes say about you

Simply review your recent habits without judging yourself. Think of three films, three series and three songs you deliberately selected over the past few weeks. Ask which emotion each one most often brings out: calm, joy, compassion, fear, anger, disgust or a desire for revenge.

The answer may surprise you. You might find that you enjoy dark works for their suspense while mainly looking for characters who can recover and carry on. Or you may notice that, after certain content, you feel more irritable, more distrustful and less available to others.

• Write down the last 7 entertainment choices you made because you wanted to watch or listen to them.
• Link each one to the emotion that lingers after viewing or listening.
• Identify those that strengthen your calm, empathy or optimism.
• For one week, cut back on content that leaves you tense or bitter.
• Try a kind-hearted comedy, a story of solidarity or an inspiring documentary instead.

This exercise is not intended to ban violent films or impose a culture of constant happiness. It simply helps you regain control over what you allow into your everyday life. If you notice that one type of story makes you more patient, more generous or more at ease, that detail may be far more valuable than it first appears.