However, some studies confirm that there may be some sort of connectionat least, to some degree.
Others say not so much.
They also filled outBig 5personality inventories and provided information about their favorite music.
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Here are some of thepersonality traitsthe study linked to certain musical styles.
Punk, hard rock, and metal are high in arousal.
Upbeat pop songs are high on valence.
Classical and jazz music, for example, are considered high in depth.
People who are higher in neuroticism tend to have less diverse musical tastes.
Empathizers enjoy mellow but emotionally rich contemporary music ranging from indie rock to country to folk.
Many have careers in the arts or helping professions and prefer soft music that evokes strong emotional responses.
In contrast, systemizers gravitated toward math and science.
Not all research supports the idea that personality traits play a role in determining musical preferences, however.
One 2017 meta-analysis found that personality traits played very little of a role in accounting for these individual differences.
Music’s Psychological Functions
Music serves a range of psychological functions.
Different activities are associated with different benefits and effects.
Listening to music, for example, can help reduce pain.
Sharing music with others is a way to enhance social connection.
Playing an instrument is connected to positive effects on mental well-being and cognitive function.
What Are Your Dominant Traits?
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