Music tastes link to personality...

LucyK! · 05 Sep 2008, 13:09

From BBC News, not sure where ML falls into this...!

Musical tastes and personality type are closely related, according to a study of more than 36,000 people from around the world.

The research, which was carried out by Professor Adrian North of Heriot-Watt University, is said to be the largest such study ever undertaken.

It suggested classical music fans were shy, while heavy metal aficionados were gentle and at ease with themselves.

Professor North described the research as "significant" and "surprising".

What does your musical taste say about you?
He said: "We have always suspected a link between music taste and personality. This is the first time that we've been able to look at it in real detail. No-one has ever done this on this scale before."

Prof North said the research could have many uses in marketing, adding: "If you know a person's music preference you can tell what kind of person they are, who to sell to.

"There are obvious implications for the music industry who are are worried about declining CD sales.

"One of the most surprising things is the similarities between fans of classical music and heavy metal. They're both creative and at ease but not outgoing.

The general public has held a stereotype of heavy metal fans being suicidally depressed and of being a danger to themselves and society in general. But they are quite delicate things."

More than 36,000 people from all over the world were asked to rate 104 musical styles and also questioned about aspects of their personality.

The study is continuing and Prof North, who is head of the university's department of applied psychology, is still looking for participants to take part in a short online questionnaire.

MUSICAL STYLES VERSUS PERSONALITY TRAITS

BLUES - High self-esteem, creative, outgoing, gentle and at ease

JAZZ - High self-esteem, creative, outgoing and at ease

CLASSICAL MUSIC - High self-esteem, creative, introvert and at ease

RAP - High self-esteem, outgoing

OPERA - High self-esteem, creative, gentle

COUNTRY AND WESTERN - Hardworking, outgoing

REGGAE - High self-esteem, creative, not hardworking, outgoing, gentle and at ease

DANCE - Creative, outgoing, not gentle

INDIE - Low self-esteem, creative, not hard working, not gentle

BOLLYWOOD - Creative, outgoing

ROCK/HEAVY METAL - Low self-esteem, creative, not hard-working, not outgoing, gentle, at ease

CHART POP - High self-esteem, not creative, hardworking, outgoing, gentle, not at ease

SOUL - High self-esteem, creative, outgoing, gentle, at ease

**allrevvedup** · 05 Sep 2008, 13:12

definitely not reggae, jazz, rap and bollywood...

~Helen~ · 05 Sep 2008, 13:13

Well...I like classical, dance, indie, rock, heavy metal, pop, and soul...so does that just suggest I have multiple personalities?

*AndyK* · 05 Sep 2008, 13:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~Helen~

Well...I like classical, dance, indie, rock, heavy metal, pop, and soul...so does that just suggest I have multiple personalities?

Yeah you're a freak ... you should fit in here well

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucy!

ROCK/HEAVY METAL - Low self-esteem, creative, not hard-working, not outgoing, gentle, at ease

So as Rock fans this site is largely inhabited by shy laid back, self critical, lazy
people?

LucyK! · 05 Sep 2008, 13:22

Erm....

Mine's quite complimentary as my guilty pleasure is Country and Western

tonyloaf · 05 Sep 2008, 13:24

not hard working that sounds right with me and rock music lol

**Diane** · 05 Sep 2008, 14:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyK

So as Rock fans this site is largely inhabited by shy laid back, self critical, lazy people?

You forgot creative Andy!

Diane

*AndyK* · 05 Sep 2008, 14:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diane

You forgot creative Andy!

Diane

No I didn't forget it, I was too lazy to work it into the sentence, and I'm so laid back I don't care

**RadioMaster** · 05 Sep 2008, 15:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucy!

More than 36,000 people from all over the world were asked to rate 104 musical styles and also questioned about aspects of their personality.

on a serious note: There's a little flaw in that study.
The participiants were asked about their personality, they didnt run a study to find out what kind of person they are, they just took their word on it.

For example, a heavy metal fan can call himself creative all he wants, that doesnt have to mean he actually is.

So I think hardly anyone would have made a cross on negative personal aspects. You wouldnt like to describe yourself as agressive, hateful, etc.

mszee · 05 Sep 2008, 16:57

ROCK/HEAVY METAL - Low self-esteem, creative, not hard-working, not outgoing, gentle, at ease

I would argue not hard working...but otherwise...yeah...

mszee · 05 Sep 2008, 16:59

P.S. Considering that I post this from work...yeah...not very hardworking...BUT...I do get job done...dunno if that counts??? LOL

**The Flying Mouse** · 05 Sep 2008, 17:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyK

No I didn't forget it, I was too lazy to work it into the sentence, and I'm so laid back I don't care

Excellent example of creativity right there

Being to lazy to do any work takes a lot of creative excuses

MeatGrl1 · 05 Sep 2008, 17:54

Not sure what category I fall into as I like a wide range of music from Elvis through to ABBA so don't know how people can determine my personality from that.

duke knooby · 05 Sep 2008, 17:57

and hobo chic wasn't even mentioned lol

**allrevvedup** · 05 Sep 2008, 17:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~Helen~

Well...I like classical, dance, indie, rock, heavy metal, pop, and soul...so does that just suggest I have multiple personalities?

so which personality were you last night while talking to me on msn?

05 Sep 2008, 13:09	#1
LucyK! The Monster Is Luce Join Date: 14.04.2002 Location: Posts: 7,547	Music tastes link to personality... From BBC News, not sure where ML falls into this...! Musical tastes and personality type are closely related, according to a study of more than 36,000 people from around the world. The research, which was carried out by Professor Adrian North of Heriot-Watt University, is said to be the largest such study ever undertaken. It suggested classical music fans were shy, while heavy metal aficionados were gentle and at ease with themselves. Professor North described the research as "significant" and "surprising". What does your musical taste say about you? He said: "We have always suspected a link between music taste and personality. This is the first time that we've been able to look at it in real detail. No-one has ever done this on this scale before." Prof North said the research could have many uses in marketing, adding: "If you know a person's music preference you can tell what kind of person they are, who to sell to. "There are obvious implications for the music industry who are are worried about declining CD sales. "One of the most surprising things is the similarities between fans of classical music and heavy metal. They're both creative and at ease but not outgoing. The general public has held a stereotype of heavy metal fans being suicidally depressed and of being a danger to themselves and society in general. But they are quite delicate things." More than 36,000 people from all over the world were asked to rate 104 musical styles and also questioned about aspects of their personality. The study is continuing and Prof North, who is head of the university's department of applied psychology, is still looking for participants to take part in a short online questionnaire. MUSICAL STYLES VERSUS PERSONALITY TRAITS BLUES - High self-esteem, creative, outgoing, gentle and at ease JAZZ - High self-esteem, creative, outgoing and at ease CLASSICAL MUSIC - High self-esteem, creative, introvert and at ease RAP - High self-esteem, outgoing OPERA - High self-esteem, creative, gentle COUNTRY AND WESTERN - Hardworking, outgoing REGGAE - High self-esteem, creative, not hardworking, outgoing, gentle and at ease DANCE - Creative, outgoing, not gentle INDIE - Low self-esteem, creative, not hard working, not gentle BOLLYWOOD - Creative, outgoing ROCK/HEAVY METAL - Low self-esteem, creative, not hard-working, not outgoing, gentle, at ease CHART POP - High self-esteem, not creative, hardworking, outgoing, gentle, not at ease SOUL - High self-esteem, creative, outgoing, gentle, at ease

05 Sep 2008, 13:12	#2
allrevvedup "Most things that i worry about, never happen anyway" Join Date: 29.11.2003 Location: Liverpool Posts: 5,358	definitely not reggae, jazz, rap and bollywood...

05 Sep 2008, 13:13	#3
~Helen~ Mega Loafer Join Date: 01.11.2007 Location: Manchester Posts: 1,958	Well...I like classical, dance, indie, rock, heavy metal, pop, and soul...so does that just suggest I have multiple personalities?

05 Sep 2008, 13:22	#5
LucyK! The Monster Is Luce Join Date: 14.04.2002 Location: Posts: 7,547	Erm.... Mine's quite complimentary as my guilty pleasure is Country and Western

05 Sep 2008, 13:24	#6
tonyloaf Metal Head Join Date: 15.05.2006 Location: Brighton Posts: 2,398	not hard working that sounds right with me and rock music lol

05 Sep 2008, 16:57	#10
mszee Mega Loafer Join Date: 29.03.2006 Location: And you think you're down under??? Posts: 26,252	ROCK/HEAVY METAL - Low self-esteem, creative, not hard-working, not outgoing, gentle, at ease I would argue not hard working...but otherwise...yeah...

05 Sep 2008, 16:59	#11
mszee Mega Loafer Join Date: 29.03.2006 Location: And you think you're down under??? Posts: 26,252	P.S. Considering that I post this from work...yeah...not very hardworking...BUT...I do get job done...dunno if that counts??? LOL

05 Sep 2008, 17:54	#13
MeatGrl1 No Day But Today Join Date: 29.05.2006 Location: Sitting on the steps outside looking so restless and reckless and lost! Posts: 9,089	Not sure what category I fall into as I like a wide range of music from Elvis through to ABBA so don't know how people can determine my personality from that.

05 Sep 2008, 17:57	#14
duke knooby Mega Loafer Join Date: 24.06.2005 Location: belfast Posts: 17,903	and hobo chic wasn't even mentioned lol