Are You What You Listen To? Exploring the Relationship Between Music Taste and Personality
From the soothing melodies of classical music to the blaring beats of hip-hop, we often value our musical tastes and collections as an extension of our personality and identity. But can our favourite songs really say something about who we are?
The Big Five Personality Traits
Psychologists often use the ‘Big Five’ personality traits — openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness and neuroticism — as a framework for understanding individual differences in personality. Research suggests that our musical preferences are correlated with these traits, providing an insight into our cognitive, emotional and social tendencies.
Openness to Experience
Individuals scoring high in Openness are often imaginative and open-minded, drawn to more novel experiences and consequently exploring more diverse genres of music. Research has found that people with high levels of openness are more receptive to unconventional and complex musical styles such as jazz or experimental electronic music, reflecting their appetite for innovation and creativity.
Conscientiousness
Conscientiousness individuals are organised, disciplined and goal-oriented. They have been found to prefer music that is structured, orderly, and predictable, such as classical music or traditional folk songs. Studies have shown that those scoring high in conscientiousness are less likely to enjoy more chaotic or dissonant music, as it may clash with their preference for stability and control.
Extraversion
Extraverts are sociable, outgoing and energetic. They tend to gravitate towards music that is lively, upbeat and to be danced to, such as pop, rock, or EDM. Research has found a link between extraversion and a preference for rhythmically complex music, reflecting their love for social gatherings and excitement.
Agreeableness
Agreeable individuals are compassionate, empathetic and cooperative. They often prefer music that is warm, mellow and emotionally uplifting, such as folk, acoustic, or soft rock. Research shows that those scoring high in agreeableness are drawn to music with positive lyrics and harmonious melodies, resonating with their empathetic and nurturing nature.
Neuroticism
Neurotic individuals are more prone to experiencing negative emotions such as anxiety, depression and stress. They may seek solace in music that reflects their emotional struggles and provides catharsis, such as blues or heavy metal. Research has found a link between neuroticism and a preference for music with darker themes and intense emotional expression, serving as a form of emotional regulation and validation.
Is it really as simple as that?
The short answer is no. The Big Five personality traits can offer us a simplified insight into the complex relationship between music taste and personality, but we cannot overlook factors such as cultural and individual differences. Cultural upbringing, social influences and personal experiences can shape our musical tastes in a variety of ways, resulting in our playlists being multifaceted expressions of identity.
Whilst there is no straight answer to the question, Are you what you listen to?, the correlation between musical preferences and personality traits offers an insight into the complex interplay between music and identity.
So the next time you press play on your favourite song, take a moment to think about: what does your music really say about you?
