It’s not just Travis Kelce! Scientists explain why so many women are obsessed with Taylor Swift – and it’s not because of her personality

It’s a debate that will be familiar to many millennial friendship groups – and has undoubtedly dominated many recent conversations.

What exactly makes Taylor Swift so popular in the stratosphere?

Not only has her music grossed more than 26 billion streams on Spotify and more than helped attract 281 million to her Instagram page, and as a friend she has also attracted a new audience Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.

Meanwhile, millions of others tuned in to last night’s Superbowl game to see her in the VIP box as she cheered on her friend.

Now experts have revealed the intriguing science-based reasons why Swift is one of those things global phenomenon – and it has little to do with her true personality.

One of the most important factors, experts say, is simple familiarity. The more Taylor and her music surround our daily lives, the more we appreciate her.

This is a psychological phenomenon known as the ‘mere exposure effect’; studies involving repeated television commercials have shown that viewers increasingly prefer the products they see most often on screen.

A study published in PLOS One participants had to undergo imaging tests to see which types of music activated the brain’s reward system.

The researchers found that people who listened to music they were familiar with had the pleasure centers in their brains lighting up more often than people who listened to music they said they liked.

“Familiarity appears to be a crucial factor in making listeners emotionally involved with music,” the team wrote.

Another reason for the 34-year-old’s popularity is that her songs are uniquely catchy. And scientists have broken down what makes an earwig.

For example, a 2017 American Psychological Association study found that catchy songs contain “melodic turning points” between different parts of the song, such as the verse, chorus, and bridge.

Researchers note that in Taylor’s case, she often uses one-note melodies that build slowly in certain parts of her songs.

Dr. Cynthia Gordon, an associate professor of linguistics at Georgetown University, said in a university blog post that Taylor’s longevity — starting with her 2007 debut album — makes her a hit.

“She’s young, but she’s had quite a long career, so her words have spread,” she said.

“We also have music videos and social media that have spread her music. These lyrics have been everywhere, and they are persistent.”

Dr. Gordon also called Taylor “an exceptionally gifted lyricist,” causing fans to pay more attention to what she says and spend time parsing its meaning.

“She likes to put Easter eggs in her songs with meanings that only her true fans can identify and discover,” she said. “So I think it really highlights the role of language in her work, and that has made people pay extra attention.”

Dr. Melissa A Fabello, a relationship coach in California, previously told DailyMail.com that it’s “not surprising” that fans feel validated by Taylor’s music, especially because she allows her lyrics to be vulnerable.

“What Taylor Swift is fantastic at is creating a narrative world – a world that explores many aspects of the human experience, including the fear of both abandonment and entrapment,” she said.

Enmeshment occurs when couples, friends, or family members lack emotional independence, meaning they feel like they always have to be together or that they don’t have autonomy.

However, not all her songs require an ear for detail. Dr. Gordon also pointed to Taylor’s hit song “Shake It Off,” where she hits back at haters and “shakes off” negative criticism.

‘For me it’s a song that’s fun. “It’s a catchy song and it also shows to many of her fans that Taylor Swift can take a joke,” she said.

‘She can’t take herself seriously. She can be humorous, and she can be goofy. And I think a lot of people, including myself, appreciate that.”

Dr. Alexandra Gold, a licensed clinical psychologist at Harvard Medical School, told the Harvard Gazette: ‘In Taylor’s case, there are a few things going on. The first piece is recognisability.

‘Even though there are aspects of her that may not feel as relatable – she is a celebrity and lives a very different life from her fans – what she sings about, the lyrical content and the emotions underlying the lyrical content are very recognizable for many people.’

“There is something that is very common in the human experience.”

Dr. Gold said this sense of connection is especially strong among millennials and Gen Z, who witnessed Taylor’s rise and grew up alongside her.

“When they were having some of these first experiences, maybe with relationships or coming of age, she was doing that at the same time and singing about it,” she said.

‘Her life story somehow connected with their life story.’

Additionally, Dr. Gold noted that Taylor is so popular because she is a role model. “She is a great example of someone who sticks to their values ​​and shows their fan base that they can achieve their goals, whatever they may be,” she said.

She pointed out that Taylor re-released her albums in an attempt to regain the rights to her music and gain more control over her wealth.

“Seeing someone do something like this can be inspiring to many young people,” said Dr. Gold.