Have you ever thought about what is the impact of music on your life? After a busy day, does listening to a bit of your favorite artist usually calm you down? Whatever your answer, the fact is everyone is hit differently.
In this line of thought, music has been an object of research for some time. In 2022, a study suggests it found that the links between music preferences and personalities are universal. Understand better!
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O study, which has been translated as ‘Universals and Variations in Music Preferences: A Study of Preferred Reactions to Western Music in 53 Countries’, was conducted at the University of Cambridge.
To achieve more accurate results, the survey incorporated two separate studies. In its characteristics, study 1 covered 284,935 participants in 53 countries.
In turn, study 2 involved 71,714 participants in 36 countries. In total, their results included data from 356,649 people across six continents.
In addition to commenting on their preferences for music genres, participants were asked to provide details about their personality traits and demographics.
What were the parameters used in the research?
The scholars responsible for making the samples opted for the Big Five personality test, which corresponds to five important personality traits: extroversion, agreeableness, openness, conscientiousness, and neuroticism.
At first glance, for guidance purposes and in a very simplified way, this is how it works:
- A extroversion refers to a person's tendency to be sociable;
- A kindness represents kindness and gentleness;
- A opening emphasizes the imagination;
- A conscientiousness it is defined by high levels of consideration and responsibility;
- O neuroticism It is a personality trait characterized by sadness, anxiety, and other negative emotions.
Remember these aspects to understand the study. On the other hand, musical genres were separated according to the 'MUSIC.' model. In short, each letter encompasses a different characteristic. So, from English, its meaning:
- M (Mellow): Romantic, slow, and muted attributes as perceived in soft rock, R&B, and adult contemporary genres;
- U (Unpretentious): uncomplicated, relaxed and non-aggressive attributes, as heard in country genres;
- S (Sophisticated): Inspired, complex and dynamic features – classical, opera, avant-garde and traditional jazz;
- I (Intense – Intense): loud, aggressive, distorted – classic rock, punk, heavy metal and power pop;
- C (Contemporary – Contemporâneo): Rhythmic, upbeat, electronic – rap, electronic, Latin and Euro-pop.
What were the results?
In advance, scholars linked the 'MUSIC' and the Big Five personality test. However, let's get to the results.
Extroversion was related to contemporary music. However, it makes perfect sense, since often extrovert they can use upbeat music to open up. Even the website itself came to the same.
“Researchers accurately predicted that extraversion, defined as thrill-seeking, sociability, and emotions positive, would be positively associated with contemporary music with upbeat, positive and dancing.”
Furthermore, they were not surprised to find that conscientiousness associated with order and obedience eluded the styles more aggressive. This personality trait has been linked to unpretentious music, such as the country genre.
Simultaneously, pleasantness, in turn, was involved with sophisticated and unpretentious music.
What most surprised the researchers was the preference for the personality trait neuroticism, being attributed to sadness and anxiety.
That is, they thought sad or upbeat music was preferable. However, a pattern was found: intense music, which perhaps reflects their anguish.
Finally, the opening track, as the name suggests, is related to contemporary, intense, sophisticated and smooth music.
So, do you agree with the results? Do they make sense to you?
