iPod psychology: players reclaim personal space

That ability to tailor music to a locale, activity or mood is part of what makes iPods so popular, according to Michael Bull, senior lecturer in media and film studies at the University of Sussex in England. Bull has studied the social psychology of personal listening devices such as the iPod and Walkman, the Chicago Tribune reports. "Users can stream their music and cater it to their environment or mood much more successfully." For his upcoming book on iPod culture and urban experience, Bull has interviewed thousands of users around the world about how they use their iPods. Many of his subjects reported using their players at work. "It's like a 'do not disturb' sign." On the street, iPods give users a sense of privacy, Bull said.

Filed under: iPod, industry