
Personality and musical preference are connected largely the same way no matter where you live: study
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According to a recent study which looked at the musical preferences of more than 350,000 people across 50 countries and six continents, musical preference was associated with personality in largely the same way no matter the location.
According to a recent study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, which looked at the musical preferences of more than 350,000 people across 50 countries and six continents, musical preference was associated with personality in largely the same way no matter the location.
“Ed Sheeran’s song Shivers is [just] as likely to appeal to extraverts living in the U.K. as those living in Argentina or India,” a press release for the study stated. “Those with neurotic traits in the U.S. are as likely to be into Nirvana’s Smells like Teen Spirit as people with a similar personality living in Denmark or South Africa.”
Researchers say that their findings show music can be a powerful unifying factor, and could actually help to address divisions in society.
The study found that across the globe, extroverts were drawn to contemporary music, while agreeable people enjoyed mellow and unpretentious music, and people who scored high in openness for their personality enjoyed mellow, contemporary, intense and sophisticated music.