McDonald’s uses music to address anti-social behavior among teens

A McDonald’s branch in the UK will play classical music to tackle anti-social issues among youths in a particular area.

A chaotic incident led to McDonald’s decision to play classical hits on speakers. The staff were pelted with coins on one of its branches in Wrexham during a clash that involved almost 20 people.

Beethoven and other classics will air in that particular branch and it is a good move for McDonald’s. Studies show that the severe range of antisocial behavior is a subject of concern. 

The McDonald’s logo is seen outside the fast-food chain McDonald’s in New York, U.S., October 22, 2019. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton/

Mcdonald’s will use this unique way to deter antisocial issues by playing music during the evening. The fast food chain will turn off wifi starting at 5 pm and classical music will play in the speakers.

According to a study in 2013, happy individuals improved their mood in a few weeks. Mainly because listening to music triggers the release of dopamine. It’s a hormone that helps relieve anxiety and depression.

This is not the first time McDonald’s is doing this strategy. It said that it had tried classical music before in some branches. Results prove that it “encourages more acceptable behavior.”

How music can influence behavior

Music has a huge impact on people’s lives. It is incredibly powerful that it can hit listeners on a deeper level. Since it can boost one’s mood positively, it greatly affects the behavior of an individual.

After staff were injured in a fight, Beethoven's music will be played to create a calmer atmosphere.https://t.co/KSQcnjt1AD

— Classic FM (@ClassicFM) January 30, 2023

While classical music is deemed to be unwelcoming in public places, it actually curbs anti-social behavior. A research that involves a train station in London used classical music and achieved remarkable results. Robberies and chaos reportedly decreased in the subway.

Musicologist Lily Hirsch wrote that music has the power to enforce limits because it works as a kind of language. It kind of signals who has permission and who hasn’t. 

She noted that the point of using classical music to calm teens “succeeds not as a result of some innate loathing of counterpoint, but rather because the connotations that accompany the genre — that it is for the old, white, wealthy, and uncool.”

While music can lift up anyone’s mood that can help in easing antisocial issues, classical music can set a different aura. Compared to upbeat music, classical music can set the mood formally, thus it can make listeners in a public place feel unwelcomed.

Only a certain Mcdonald’s branch in the UK implements this strategy. And if they claimed it already worked once, we hope they’ll expand on applying these to other branches worldwide too.

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