Neurotic Nirvana fans, nice Lady Gaga… this is your personality according to your musical tastes

Nacho Serrano

Updated:12/02/2022 12: 21h

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Everyone knows that the music we like says a lot regarding our personality, but now there is a study that has just confirmed it scientifically. The report, led by Dr. David Greenberg, honorary research associate at the University of Cambridge, has had more than 350,000 people from more than 50 countries, and among its results is the statement that “the links between musical preferences and personality are universal.” Thus, the same associations have been found between extroversion and contemporary music; between conscience and unassuming music; between kindness and mellow, unassuming music; and between the opening and the mellow, contemporary, intense and sophisticated music.

The researchers, led by the University of Cambridge, have found that the song ‘Shivers’ by Ed Sheeran It appeals to extroverted people from Argentina or India as well as from the artist’s country of origin, Great Britain.

Those with neurotic traits in the United States are just as likely to love the song ‘Smells like Teen Spirit’ by Nirvana than people with a similar psychological profile from Denmark or South Africa. Likeable people all over the world will tend to like ‘What’s going on’ by Marvin Gayethe ‘Shallow’ of Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, and if you’re a finicky person, you’re unlikely to enjoy Rage Against the Machine.

Greenberg, who is also a musician, says he is “surprised by how much these patterns between music and personality are replicated around the world”, revealing that “people can be divided by geography, language and culture, but if an introvert in one part of the world likes the same music as introverts elsewhere, which suggests that music might be a very powerful bridge.” This discovery, Greenberg continues, shows that “music helps people understand each other and find common ground.”

Extraversion, which is defined by thrill-seeking, sociability, and positive emotions, would be associated with contemporary music that has upbeat, positive, and danceable characteristics. Similarly, conscientiousness is associated with order and obedience, colliding with intense musical styles, which are characterized by aggressiveness and rebellious themes. Neurotic personalities, however, can express themselves in two ways, either choosing sad music to express their loneliness or preferring happy music to change their mood. “That was surprising, but people use music in different ways: some may use it for catharsis, others to change their mood,” says Greenberg, who also notes that “on average, they seem to prefer more intense musical styles, which perhaps reflects inner anguish and frustration. There may be subgroups that score high on neuroticism who listen to soft music for a reason and another subgroup that is more frustrated and may prefer loud music to blow off steam.”

The researchers also found that the link between extroverts and contemporary music was particularly strong in the equator, especially in Central and South America. This might suggest that climatic factors influence musical preferences and that people in warmer climates tend to have personality traits that make them more likely to prefer rhythmic and danceable music.

Greenberg and colleagues used two different methods of assessing music preferences in participants from six continents. The first required people to report how much they liked listening to 23 music genres, in addition to completing a personality test and providing demographic information. The second used a more advanced approach, asking participants to listen to short audio clips from 16 genres and subgenres of Western music and then express their reactions to each. The researchers focused on Western music because it is the most listened to globally and offers the greatest potential for application in real-world and therapeutic settings.

They used the MUSIC model, a widely accepted framework for conceptualizing musical preferences, which identifies five key musical styles:

– ‘Mellow‘ (with romantic, slow, and quiet attributes as heard in soft rock, R&B, and adult contemporary genres)

– ‘Without pretentions‘ (simple, relaxing, non-aggressive attributes as heard in country genres)

– ‘Sophisticated‘ (inspiring, complex and dynamic characteristics heard in classical, operatic, avant-garde and traditional jazz genres)

– ‘Intense‘ (distorted, loud, and aggressive attributes as heard in classic rock, punk, heavy metal, and power pop genres)

– ‘Contemporary‘ (rhythmic, upbeat, and electronic attributes as heard in the rap, electronic, Latin, and Euro-pop genres).

Greenberg, who lives in Jerusalem, uses music as a bridge to work with Israelis and Palestinians and believes these findings might improve streaming services and wellness apps.

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