Hyperselection concept explains increasing uniformity in music and society

A new paper published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology introduces the concept of ‘hyperselection,’ a phenomenon where intense competition and the ability to optimize success lead to increased predictability and homogeneity across various fields.

In the music industry, streaming platforms create pressure for artists to follow proven formulas regarding song length, structure, and melody to capture attention. This trend favors predictable hits over experimental works, such as the complex structure seen in Queen’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody.’

This pattern extends beyond music to other sectors. In professional football, teams adopt successful tactics to gain advantages, which increases tactical sophistication but reduces individual flair and stylistic variety. Similar trends are observed in academia, where the drive for citations and specific metrics can lead to more standardized research outputs.