Does our Personality Predict Music Preference

Mitch Beavers and Lauren Mutispaugh

Dr. Christopher Buchholz (Faculty Advisor)
Roanoke College

Abstract Hypotheses Results Discussion

Research has shown that various aspects of our personality are related to the
types of music that we choose. We used Rentfrow and Gosling’s (2003) Short
Test of Music Preference, which measures an individual’s preference for musical
genres. We also used Buchholz’s (2006) measures complex/simple music
preference and happy/sad music preference. Responses on these scales were
correlated with personality measures. Preference for reflective/complex music
was positively correlated with need for cognition. Preference for intense/rebellious
music was negatively correlated with sad music preference and positively
correlated with need for cognition. Energetic/rhythmic was positively correlated
with extraversion. Finally, complex music preference was positively correlated
with need for cognition and openness to experiences and happy music
preference was positively correlated with agreeableness.
Introduction
Previous research has shown a link between personality traits and music
preference (e.g., Catell & Anderson, 1953; McCown, Keiser, Mulhearn, &
Williamson, 1997; North, Hargreaves, & O’Neill, 2000). These studies, however,
have each used different methods of measuring music preference and according
to Zweigenhaft (2008) music preference may vary with age and location. It is
possible that the links between music preference and personality may vary
across samples. This study will replicate Rentfrow and Gosling’s 2003 study to
examine the reliability of their findings. This study will also look at a variety of
other personality and music preference measures to determine their possible
correlations.
Our music preference may be developmental. “Most people acquire their
musical taste during adolescence among friends of the same age, and they carry
early preferences right through the grave” (Sloboda, 1985, p263). There is also a
suggestion that we imprint preferences for music between the ages of ten and
twelve. While these preferences are not set in stone, there does appear to be a
stability of preference throughout life (Jourdain, 1997).
There is some indication that these preferences may reflect underlying
personality traits (Rentfrow & Gosling, 2003). One of the earliest attempts to
map music preference onto personality was made by Cattell and Anderson
(1953). They correlated the IPAT music preference test with Cattell’s 16
Personality Factor Questionnaire. They found that several of the personality
factors correlated with music preference. However, because they were mainly
interested in using the IPAT to examine the dimensions of the 16 PFQ, their
publication does not provide the specific music preference categories.
There have been several attempts over the years since Cattell and
Anderson to examine the relationship between personality and music preference.
McCown, Keiser, Mulhearn, and Williamson (1997), for example, found a
connection between extraversion and a musical preference for songs with
exaggerated bass. North, Hargreaves, and O’Neill (2000) indicate that there is
In this study we used Rentfrow and Gosling’s (2003) STOMP which measures
an individual’s preference for musical genres; however, we also were interested in
the relationship between cognitive ability and music preference. Several
researchers have shown a link between cognitive ability and preference for
aesthetically complex or simple stimuli (Barron, 1955; Frances, 1976; Kammann,
1966; as cited in Rentfrow & Gosling, 2003). Therefore, it is possible that measures
of cognitive ability, such as need for cognition, are predictive of an individual’s
preference for complex or simple music. In order to assess participant’s preference
for complex music we used Buchholz’s (2006) measures complex/simple music
preference. Finally, we also included Buchholz’s (2006) measure of happy/sad
music preference in order to test the relationship between preference for different
moods of music with personality. We predicted that we would replicate Rentfrow
and Gosling’s (2003) results. Also, we predict that complex music preference will be
correlated with need for cognition. All other variables included in this study were
exploratory in nature.
Methods
Participants completed various measures of personality and cognitive ability.
The measures included the Big 5 factors (Gosling, Rentfrow, & Swan, 2003), self-
esteem (Rosenberg, 1965), and need for cognition (Cacioppo, Petty, Feinstein, &
Jarvis 1996). Participants also completed Renfrow and Gosling’s (2003) Short Test
of Music Preference (STOMP). The STOMP test contains questions which indicate
14 genres of music: alternative, blue, classical, country, electronica/dance, folk,
heavy metal, rap/hip-hop, jazz, pop, religious, rock, soul/funk, and soundtracks.
Preferences were rated on a 7-point Likert scale (1-Not at all; 7- A great deal).
Buchholz’s (2006) music complexity scale was used assess an individual’s desired
level of music complexity. This scale is a 9 item Likert-type scale that included
questions such as “I prefer music that is more complex in nature”, “Most of the
music I listen to has many different instruments and parts”, and “I prefer music that
is rhythmic and uncomplicated”. Finally, Buchholz’s (2006) happy-sad music
preference scale. This scale is a 8 item Likert-type scale that included happy
statements such as “I prefer music that is upbeat and happy” and “I prefer music
that is light and uplifting”, while sad-relevant items included statements such as “I
find that I prefer to listen to sad music even when I am in a good mood” and “I like
music that has a darker feel to it”.
Figure 1
As seen in Figure 1, there was a clear preference for complex music From our results there are several tentative conclusions we can make about
(McomplexMP = 4.75, SD = .81; MsimpleMP = 3.30, SD = .72). After reverse coding the relationship between personality and music preference. Participants who like
the simple music preference items, nine of the ten original items were found to have complex music tend to be more open to experiences and have a higher need for
high intercorrelations, therefore, we created a composite score of complex music cognition. This is to be expected, in that people who seek out new experiences and
preference (α = .80). Demonstrating the link between cognitive ability and music new cognitive problems would be expected to also seek out music that is more
preference, complex music preference was significantly correlated with openness to complex in nature. However, the correlation between complex music preference
experience (r = .396, p=.001) and need for cognition (r = .389, p=.002) (see Table and sad music preference is a little more difficult to explain. It appears that those
1). As hypothesized, complex music preference was positively correlated with the who prefer complex music also like their music to be sad. It is possible that music
global STOMP category reflective & complex (r = .522, p<.001). As shown in Table that has a more melancholy tone may tend to be more complex in structure;
1, complex music preference was found to positively correlate with a variety of however, future research will have to investigate this more fully.
specific STOMP categories (classical [r = .615, p <.001], blues [r = .358, p=.001], Participants who prefer happy music appear to be more agreeable as well as to
folk [r = .322, p =.003], jazz [r = .358, p =.001], rock [r = .236, p =.029], and heavy have higher self-esteem. It is unclear the direction of this relationship, but it is
metal [.234, p=.031]). Complex music preference was found to be negatively nonetheless intriguing. Also, those who like their music happy appear to like music
correlated with a variety of specific STOMP categories (country [r = -.288, p =.008], that is energetic & rhythmic and possibly upbeat and conventional as well. Both of
rap/hip-hop [r = -.369, p=.001], and pop [r = -.255, p =.018]. these categories include music that is happier in its nature, however, happy music
As depicted in Figure 1, participants in our study showed a higher preference preference was negatively correlated with reflective and complex music. In light of
for happy music (M = 4.51, SD = .57) than their preference for sad music (M = 3.72, the relationship between complex music preference and sad music preference, this
SD = 1.04). After reverse coding the happy music preference items, all eight items also makes sense since the reflective/complex category includes music that is more
were found to have fairly high intercorrelations, therefore, we created a composite complex.
score called preference for happy music (α = .69). 1.46). As shown in Table 1, For the remainder of the results, we will discuss the implications in terms of
preference for happy music correlated with both self-esteem (r = .330, p=.009) and what type of personalities are associated with each type of music preference;
agreeableness (r = .339, p=.007). Interestingly, preference for happy music was
negatively correlated with a preference for complex music (r = -.393, p<.001),
however, most of these relationships are difficult to explain due to the limits of the
data in this study. Individuals who like more religious music appear to have higher
suggesting that those who like happy music like simple music and those who like self-esteem and prefer happy music. Those who listen to classical music and
sad music like more complex music. Preference for happy music was found to be soundtracks appear to less agreeable and prefer more complex music. In the case
correlated with several STOMP categories (reflective and complex [r = -.312, p of classical music, these participants also appear to prefer sad music. Those who
=.004], energetic and rhythmic [r = .221, p=.042], and approaching significance for like rap and hip-hop seem to be more agreeable, extraverted, and to prefer music
upbeat and conventional [r = .212, p =.052]. As shown in Table 1, preference for that is happy and simple in nature. Individuals who listen to heavy metal music
happy music was correlated to several specific genres as well classical (r = -.419, appear to be low in both conscientiousness and emotional stability. This result is
p<.001), blues (r = -.289, p=.007), rap/hip-hop (r = .385, p<.001), and religious (r = worth noting in that low scores on these personality measures could indicate other
.252, p=.020). Finally, preference for happy music was also correlated issues in mental health. Country music lovers tend to be low in openness to
agreeableness (r = .331, p =.002). experiences, but high in conscientiousness. They also appear to prefer music that
Concerning the replication of Rentfrow and Gosling’s (2003) results, the is simpler in nature. As one might expect, those that prefer jazz music are more
majority of the correlations failed to replicate. The only music preference category open to experiences and prefer complex music. Similarly, those who like blues
that correlated with any personality traits was energetic/rhythmic. This category was music prefer music that is more complex and sad. Finally, those who prefer folk,
positively correlated to extraversion (r = .263, p = .039). This does, however, rock, and heavy metal tend to prefer more complex music and those who prefer
replicate at least one of their findings. If we break down the categories to specific pop, as expected, tend to prefer more simple music
genres, we do find some interesting correlations (see Table 1). Extraverts appear to
like rap and hip-hop music (r = .282, p = .009). Interestingly, participants high in
agreeableness appear to like rap/hip-hop (r = .297, p = .006) but dislike both
classical (r = -.228, p = .036) and soundtracks (r = -.228, p = .036). Conscientious
participants like country (r = .258, p = .017) and dislike heavy metal (r = -.245, p =
.024). Those that are more neurotic appear to like heavy metal (r = .260, p = .016).
Participants who were more open to experiences seem to like jazz music (r = .237,
p = .029) but dislike country (r = -.245, p = .024). Finally, those with higher self-
esteem appear to show a preference for religious music (r = .307, p = .004).
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