Personality and Music Preferences

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The purpose of this review is to explore the factors that influence personality and music preferences. This paper will show that personality traits selectively influence the choice of particular music elements among individuals. The paper generates the hypothesis that perceptions towards musical elements and stereotypes influence the individuals’ choice of music. The study conducted by Kopacz (2005) supports this claim by showing that personality traits such as self-reliance, open-mindedness, social integration, and liveliness affect music preferences.

In addition, Kopacz (2005) answers several questions concerning how the perception of musical elements affects the choice of music. Kopacz’s article is relevant to the current study because it helps the readers in the evaluation of music structure with respect to the set rules, which are known to composers and listeners. First, it will determine the particular personality traits that influence choices pertaining to musical elements.

Second, it will evaluate how certain personality traits influence the choice of some elements of music, but not others. The study by Kopacz (2005) sampled 145 participants, aged between 19 and 26, who took part in a study in which they were randomly selected to listen to music.

The findings support the article’s hypothesis by indicating that the respondents agreed to enjoy music despite lacking relevant education on the topic. This aspect implies that the personality traits of liveliness, open-mindedness, and ease of social integration were sufficient to come up with a group that demonstrated homogeneity in terms of music appreciation.

As shown in the study by Kopacz (2005), the findings indicate that the factor of liveliness influences choices on particular musical elements. Lively, people depict a lot of enthusiasm and energy, which allows them to prefer music with various melodic elements as opposed to those who are less lively. The less lively individuals possess traits such as seriousness, calmness, and reflectiveness. Similarly, the second factor about social boldness is supported in the study.

Social openness matches with various musical elements such as tempo and melodic themes. The factor of self-reliance is not supported in this study, as it is not in a position to influence choices on particular musical elements.

These factors, as discussed by Kopacz (2005), reinforce the argument that music preference is highly influenced by the inherent elements that shape personality traits with regard to music. Critical elements in musical choices have been identified to possess therapeutic and stimulating effects. The study clearly communicates how music can help to relieve stress or act as mood stimulators and offers directions for new research.

What people repeatedly associate with contributes to how their personality shape. This assertion is evidenced by the research done by Lim (2008), which affirms that arousal is the impetus and basic response to the interpretation of sensory stimuli that substantially influences psycho-physiological traits. Arousal is the reaction depicted by the body due to the activities of the brain. If a certain type of music genre triggers arousal, then it is most likely that the individual’s personality will shape in reference to the elements of that music.

The level of arousal determines the state of an individual in terms of alertness, wakefulness, or excitement. The article by Lim (2008) supports the current topic by showing how music helps individuals in the regulation of their moods at times when they are chronically under-aroused or over-aroused. In the process, personality traits shape, and an individual develops the ability to determine the kind of music s/he prefers.

Thus, in a bid to examine the impact of personality type concerning musical task, Lim (2008) explored various psychophysical factors of music that include sound intensity, speed of tempo, rhythm, frequency, and sound alterations. Four different experiences were applied to 32 non-musician university students to measure the level of arousal. The four musical experiences were listening, singing, rhythm tapping, and playing the keyboard.

These experiences were selected on the basis that they are less tasking. Results indicated an insignificant distinction between personality forms and patterns in the arousal state. All four experiences recorded elevated energy arousal and reduced fatigue. These results show that participating in musical tasks that are not hard to master enables people to get more energetic and reduce fatigue.

Building on the previous study on the Eysenck’s theory, Lim (2008) suggests that introverts are often internally under-aroused, and thus they require alternative stimuli to raise their moods to the maximum level of response. On the other hand, they are extraverts internally over-aroused, and thus they need calmness and peace to lower their moods to a minimal level of activity.

In a bid to expound these two considerations, Lim (2008) examined the impact of music because it is known to possess the arousal ability and certain elements of it can either raise or reduce the effects of arousal. It is identified that music is often used to change the arousal status by raising energy levels or alleviating tension. These interventions can be helpful in fields such as psychiatry, cognitive boosting, and special learning. Lim (2008) provided findings, which are consistent with the purpose and the hypothesis for the current review.

Lastinger (2011) indicates that music therapy students hold similar perspectives regarding music genres as other students of their level pursuing different courses. Lastinger (2011) supports the current review by informing music therapists to adapt to changing surroundings without compromising their ability to make sound decisions in the process of dealing with customers.

As hypothesized by the current review, stereotypes are linked to negative effects because, in most cases, they are used to ward away, forming undesirable personality traits linked to bad music. These social constructs integrate people into particular groups that enable other individuals to understand how to socialize with them. Lastinger (2011) sought to explore the extent to which stereotypes influence individuals regarding different kinds of music and whether such preconceptions are reflected in a specific group.

In addition, it is noteworthy to determine how music therapy students respond to this issue in comparison to non-music students. The author achieved these goals by involving 182 students of music therapy and 206 students who were non-music majors. The respondents were required to listen to the recording and rate it based on personality measures and forecast demographic details. The survey findings were found to be greatly influenced by the type of music.

Generally, Lastinger (2011) identifies that stereotypes play a major role in determining how both music therapists and non-music students perceive music genres. Further review by Lastinger (2011) suggests that there are significant correlations among music choice, standards of life, and personality, and this knowledge can improve deductions made about an individual.

However, this assertion supports the current study by suggesting that some music genres may lead to the shaping of either positive or negative personality traits depending on the choice of the music. In addition, Lastinger (2011) shows that background music has been found to predict the personality of a person and demographic factors.

This aspect has been helpful to music therapists, particularly when they encounter unconscious patients who cannot indicate which genre of music can serve to boost their well-being. In this perspective, cultural stereotypes and age are elements that may predict the kind of music to play for these patients and might end up determining their personality traits.

For very many years, music has served various functions in human life ranging from therapy to communication. However, very little is known about the mechanisms that make humanity have an unending craving for music. In a bid to develop insights into the parameters that may be important in generating music preference, Schafer and Sedlmeie (2010) identified a few elements as musical characteristics like tempo or pitch. The authors also identified music externals, such as the purpose of music, age, education level, or personality.

These authors support the claim of the current review by demonstrating how music is used to express, alter, anchor, or strengthen emotions. These elements help in determining the characters of a person as well as giving explanations as to why people have different music preferences.

Therefore, these external music measures play a significant role in the generation of music preference and building of one’s character. The authors claim that music is essential in improving people’s well-being as it resolves most of their everyday life stressors, which, in turn, results in a positive personality.

Schafer and Sedlmeie (2010), sought to establish the parameters capable of influencing music choice by collecting data in a lab study and online survey based on the cognitive, emotional, and societal purposes of music. Two hundred and sixty-three participants were told to listen to six different types of music. They indicated how much they preferred the music, as well as the extent that they found the music to match the aforementioned parameters.

The results imply that all measures, apart from societal factors, have a huge impact on music choice. In addition, the cognitive purposes of the music and physiological intrusion deduced by the music formed the key determinants of music choice. However, different studies have given consistent facts that individuals listen to music in a bid to boost their mood, communicate their emotions to others, and contain attitudes (Schafer & Sedlmeie, 2010).

The most important aspect is the ability of music to relate people to various identities. It also serves as a media for self-reflection since people can associate themselves with certain music. This reflection is greatly influenced by the individual’s perception of the music.

Consequently, the authors have substantially supported the current topic by predicting why humans think that listening to music is an unavoidable activity concerning their character. Apart from being a resourceful material to music therapists and students, other readers gain insights on how they can utilize music to relieve stress and strengthen emotions.

Little research has been conducted on music and human experience despite the evidence provided about the effect of music on human life (Darren, Stickle, Rachid & Wopnford, 2007). The topic of the correlation between the types of music and human factors has not been studied extensively. Previous studies testing the impacts of music choice on neurological and biological functioning have shown consistency with the current topic by evaluating the purpose of music as a therapeutic factor.

The authors support the current review by demonstrating how people make informed choices of music, and it influences cognitive as well as personality elements. This article addresses these issues by looking at various individual variables involving social skills, self-actualization, and the level of intelligence, boldness, acceptability, extraversion, and depression. In a bid to achieve this objective, the study enlisted 358 community participants to fill survey questions that assessed choices for 30 distinct genres of music.

The incorporation of cognitive and personality variations utilized several models, such as correlations to gain insight about the interlinking effect of different music genres and personalities. In relation to other leisure activities such as reading, movies, and shopping, among others, music was found to play a fundamental role. In addition, music was found to influence the performance of other activities like studying, exercising, and driving, among others. The importance of music was identified to go beyond what many people realize.

This assertion means that music is a key to personality building since people have inherent factors that are aroused by certain music elements leading to the formation of particular traits.

On social skills, Darren et al. (2007) established that individuals who subscribe to rebellious music encounter increased hostility, undesired stereotyping, and regressive behavior. On the other hand, adults who preferred classical and jazz types of music are less likely to exhibit cases of depression (Darren et al., 2007). These findings supported the hypothesis that stereotypes influence music choice, which in turn contributes to the shaping of personalities.

Young students who subscribe to rebellious music are highly exposed to great levels of depression. Playing piano was identified as necessary for raising self-esteem. There was no significant relationship between self-esteem and music. Following these reliable facts, all variables demonstrated consistent results with the current hypothesis.

Taken together, these findings imply that types of music are correlated with cognitive and personality traits, and the choice of music that an individual listens can be attributed to behavioral traits that they possess. In conclusion, this review has provided significant information that improves the readers’ comprehension of the main determinants of music choice and the kind personality that develops due to the choices that people make.

References

Darren, G., Stickle, K., Rachid, F., & Wopnford, A. (2007). The association between types of music enjoyed and cognitive, behavioral, and personality factors of those who listen. Psychomusicology, 19(2), 32-56.

Kopacz, M. (2005). Personality and Music Preferences: The Influence of Personality Traits on Preferences Regarding Musical. Journal of Music Therapy, 42(3), 216-235.

Lastinger, D. (2011). The effect of background music on the perception of personality and demographics. Journal of Music Therapy, 48(2), 206-225.

Lim, A. (2008). The effect of personality type and musical task on self-perceived arousal. Journal of Music Therapy, 45(2), 147-163.

Schafer, T., & Sedlmeie, P. (2010). What makes us like music? Determinants of music preference. Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts, 4(4), 223–23.

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Personality and Music Preferences

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