Running Head: MY KIND OF MUSIC

My Kind of Music Megan Dalen Vista Murrieta High School

Running Head: MY KIND OF MUSIC Abstract The present paper examines the reasons that people prefer certain types of music. Research has suggested that a variety of elements contribute to a persons music preferences. These elements include personality traits, physiological based needs, a need to seek approval, emotional vulnerability, and environment.

Running Head: MY KIND OF MUSIC My Kind of Music

Since the beginning of civilization, music has been a dominant factor in human activity. Music has played a part in ceremonies and celebrations in every culture, from weddings to graduations to funeral ceremonies, ever since they were first thought of. With such a dominant influence on all of humanity, it is no surprise that the subject of music has recently acquired much attention and speculation among psychologists, especially regarding the question of why people have certain musical preferences. This question has been one that I myself have wondered about for years. I am very passionate about music and enjoy most all genres of music, so it has always struck me as odd that some people dont share the same fondness for certain types of music. This has left me wondering why people have specific preferences for certain types of music. Recent studies have suggested that a variety of factors, including personality characteristics, physiological based needs, peer and authority figure approval, emotional vulnerability, and environment all contribute to a persons musical preferences. One significant factor that appears in many studies regarding musical preferences is personality characteristics. Some studies suggest that people prefer listening to music that reflects personality traits, such as extraversion and agreeableness or openness to experience (Delsing 2008). One of the most comprehensive studies on this topic is Rentfrow and Goslings investigation, in which music is separated into four primary dimensions: Reflective and Complex, Intense and Rebellious, Upbeat and Conventional, and Energetic and Rhythmic (2003). Using these dimensions, correlations can be seen between personality traits and preferences for certain types of music. For example, there is a positive correlation between risk-takers and a preference for the Intense and Rebellious dimension, which is

Running Head: MY KIND OF MUSIC

defined by rock, alternative, and heavy metal music. Similarly, correlations can be seen between the Reflective and Complex dimension, defined by blues, jazz, classical, and folk music, and openness to experiences. These types of correlations suggest that personality characteristics have a strong effect on preferences in music. The Uses and Gratification approach also links personality traits to music preferences. According to this theory, people prefer certain types of music because they have particular personality characteristics that the music satisfies (Delsing 2008). This theory also proposes that music may be used to gratify physiologically based needs, as people tend to choose the type of music that moves them toward their optimal level. In other words, people that are normally highly aroused, such as introverts, tend to avoid overstimulation and prefer less stimulating music. Conversely, extroverts, who are considered to be on the low level of the cortical arousal scale tend to prefer more stimulating music (Delsing 2008). This type of correlation suggests that music preferences may not only be based in character traits, but also physiologically. The notion that music preferences are based in physiological needs may also be supported by studies involving infants. In a study done by Beatriz Ilari, infants listened to music and researchers recorded which type of music they preferred more, meaning which they paid most attention to (2009). In this study, infants showed a preference for a capella music. Researchers speculated that this is probably due to infants innate preference for human voices. The study also showed that the babies preferred single timbre music, likely because of its simple structure. Studies such as this demonstrate a clear preference for certain types of music in infants.

Running Head: MY KIND OF MUSIC Another aspect that has a great effect on a persons music preferences is the approval of his peers and authority figures, such as teachers or parents. Many researchers support the notion that music preferences could be peer influenced, resulting in a link between music preference and conformity among peers. This notion is strongly supported by many studies, in which conformity in music preferences occurs regardless of personality type (Droe 2008). Studies have also suggested that the approval of superiors. The results of a study conducted by Kevin L. Droe, for example, indicated that the responses of teachers to certain pieces of music

had a significant effect on the preference ratings of students. In the study, students that received positive responses from teachers regarding certain pieces gave significantly higher approval ratings to those pieces than those that received negative responses (2008). Cases such as this support the concept that peer approval plays a strong role in a persons music preferences. Some research also suggests that there is a relationship between various genres of music and antisocial behaviors, vulnerability to suicide, and drug use. Music is said to regulate emotions by temporarily allowing an escape from thoughts and feelings or validating thoughts and feelings, and releasing pent up emotions (Baker 2008). By this notion, it makes sense that there would be a relationship between emotional stability and musical preferences. Many studies suggest that music preferences may be suggestive of emotional vulnerability. Music is thought to trigger the activation of aggressive thoughts and emotions; however, it is important to note that studies reject that music is a causal factor of antisocial behavior and suggest that music preferences is more of an indicator of emotional vulnerability (Baker 2008). Studies also indicate that environment, especially seasonal changes, also affects music preferences. Seasons have major effects on psychological activities due to weather and schedule

Running Head: MY KIND OF MUSIC changes. Seasons also evoke different stressors and emotions. These changes in turn have an

effect on trends in musical preferences. A study conducted by Pettijohn revealed that for most of the college students examined, winter is more of a time for reflection and emotional introspection where participants may show an increased preference for blues, jazz, classical, and folk music which are more structurally complex than other types of music (Pettijohn 2010). On the other hand, spring is more of a time for socializing, and music preferences tend to trend toward the Upbeat and Conventional dimension. These results support the notion that the environment has an effect on trends in music preferences. Throughout this research, I learned a lot regarding correlations between personality traits and music preferences, such as that openness to experience tends to be associate with a Reflective and Complex dimension of music. I learned the different dimensions in music, and how they are defined. I also learned what personality characteristics may be related to each dimension of music, therefore what a preference for a type of music might mean about a person. In turn, I also learned what type of music a person might favor based on personality traits. I learned that music is not likely the cause of emotional instability, but an indicator of emotional invulnerability. I also learned that babies have a clear preference of certain types of music over others, and that music preferences may be based in part in physiological needs. I also learned that season changes have an effect on trends in music preferences, as well as the natural human instinct to seek approval from peers. With this knowledge, I learned how to figure out what types of music people may prefer based on what season it is and what the weather is like. Overall, I learned that there are many factors that contribute to personal preferences in music,

Running Head: MY KIND OF MUSIC not limited to those discussed in this paper.

Running Head: MY KIND OF MUSIC References Baker, F. (2008). Can music preference indicate mental health status in young people?. Australasian Psychiatry, 16(4), 284-288.

Delsing, M. J. (2008). Adolescents' music preferences and personality characteristics. European Journal Of Personality, 22(2), 109-130. Droe, K. L. (2008). The Effect of Teacher Approval and Disapproval of Music Performed in a Rehearsal Setting on Music Preferences. Journal Of Research In Music Education, 56(3), 267-278. Ilari, B. (2009). Music Listening Preferences in Early Life. Journal Of Research In Music Education, 56(4), 357-369. Pettijohn, T. (2010). Music for the Seasons: Seasonal Music Preferences in College Students. Current Psychology, 29(4), 328-345. Rentfrow, P. J., & Gosling, S. D. (2003). The do re mis of everyday life: The structure and personality correlates of music preferences. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84, 12361256.