The Surprising Relationship Between Music Tastes and Personality Traits

Your favorite music genres might reveal more about you than just your taste in tunes. Science has unearthed some intriguing associations between the kinds of music we enjoy and our personalities.

Unexpected Musical Facts

You may think your love for the latest chart-topping hits or the thumping beats of dance tracks is just a matter of preference, but it could also be a reflection of your personality. Studies show certain traits correlate with specific musical preferences, leading to some surprising insights.

Pop Music and Agreeableness

If pop music is your jam, you're likely to be an agreeable person. Those who groove to the hits on the charts tend to have pleasant, cooperative personalities.

Heavy Metal and Non-Violence

Contrary to what some might expect, fans of heavy metal music, particularly those who listen to songs with violent themes, are not more violent themselves. In fact, they find a sense of joy in the music.

The Link Between Bass and Personality

Love a song with a solid bassline? It might mean more than just musical preference. Research has connected a liking for songs with heavy bass to traits like extroversion and, surprisingly, psychopathy.

Music Preferences Reflecting Self-Image

Choosing music might be a process of self-reflection. A study from 2020 revealed that we are inclined to listen to artists who present a public persona that mirrors our own personality. For example, fans of David Bowie might share his slight weirdness and neuroticism, while those who listen to Radiohead could relate to the band's openness and experimental nature.

This idea is further supported by the fact that fans of Marvin Gaye are typically agreeable, much like the musician's public persona, whereas fans of Ozzy Osbourne might lean towards being more rebellious and disagreeable.

Bass Lovers and Psychological Traits

A study suggested that those who enjoy music with 'exaggerated' bass are often men, extroverts, and could even display psychopathic traits.

Psychopathy and Music Choice

A study aiming to identify psychopaths through their music preferences found that songs like 'No Diggity' by Blackstreet and 'Lose Yourself' by Eminem were preferred by individuals with higher scores for psychopathy, while less psychopathic individuals tended to enjoy songs like 'Titanium' by Sia.

Music and Empathy

Mellow music, like R&B and soft rock, is more likely to appeal to empathetic individuals, whereas those who think in a more systematic, less emotional way might prefer intense music, such as punk or heavy metal.

Violent Music's Effect on Behavior

Listening to songs with violent lyrics doesn't necessarily desensitize people to violence, nor does it mean they are violent themselves. Studies have shown that fans of such music might simply find empowerment and joy in the experience.

personality, music, studies