What Your Musical Taste Says About You!
Is music the most powerful way in which we express our personalities? We can’t deny that music speaks with us. We connect with music; we relate to its melodies, harmonies and lyrics and the powerful tune can invoke incredible emotions within us. The psychological effect of music and the human brain has been studied extensively but what does your musical taste say about you? Most people find themselves listening to one or two genres almost exclusively, but have you ever stopped to wonder why you might be attracted to pop or metal or classical?
According to certain studies, a tendency towards complex music like jazz or classical may suggest that you might be more creative or have a higher IQ. Pop music lovers tend to be extroverted and honest while a liking for rap music may signify that you’re probably pretty outgoing. Country music fans are usually pretty conventional and hardworking. Metalheads tend to be more introverted and could even suffer from low self esteem.
Have you ever experienced a truly powerful piece of music that gave you shivers and goosebumps? If so, you’re not the only one, this is a pretty common experience. A 2010 study found that people who are more open to new experiences were more likely to experience shivers when listening to music.
Why do some people love bass? The heavy booming nature of bass is a big part of popular music these days. Some people absolutely love bass and this musical element seems to affect them in a deep way. But why are some people so crazy about bass? One study found that males are more likely to enjoy heavy bass in music.
Why athletes love “pump up” music? There’s definitely a very specific type of music we listen to at the gym; it’s usually vigorous pump up music with high BPM that gets us motivated and excited. But why does this music seem to be so fitting for athletic activity? One study found a link between our music preferences and our ideal self-image. Basically people prefer music that they think is most fitting to their own perception of themselves. Athletes love vigorous music because they feel it fits with their dynamic lifestyle and persona.
Why teens love heavier music? We are all familiar with that one stereotype of the angsty teen who loves heavy metal. And sometimes this stereotype is a reality for many teens. Apparently, teens with this music preference are more likely to feel rejected and have low self esteem. However, this doesn’t mean that everyone who enjoys metal or heavy genres has these issues. Why some people love repetitive music? Most of the time repetitive music is generally seen as a bad thing, but some music with repetitive elements can be calming, meditative and relaxing. Some studies have suggested that those who are less open to new experiences might be more likely to enjoy repetitive music. Some people are just naturally more conservative and there’s nothing wrong with that, but it’s definitely an interesting titbit of information that sheds light on the link between musical tastes and personality. What kind of music are you into?
By Niylesha Sekar
