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Musical tastes and personality type are closely related, according to a study of more than 36,000 people from around the world. Researchers at Cambridge University say people use musicto define their identity. People often view rock fans as artistic or rebellious, classical buffs as intellectual and rap followers as athletic or hostile. The university's Dr Jason Rentfrow said: "Even though our assumptions may not be accurate, we get a very strong impression about someone when we ask them what music they like." During the study, sample groups of subjects regularly made the same assumptions about people's personalities, values, social class and ethnicity, based on their music taste. The profiles of fans of each of the genres was sharply distinct. Dr Rentfrow believes his paper, entitled You Are What You Listen To, demonstrates how music can reinforce stereotypes and social prejudices. However, he said: "Heavy metal or punk fans ended up being much more friendly than the stereotype would have us believe; agreeable, warm. "The basic message is that we can learn an awful lot about someone if we know what kind of music they like bit it doesn't tell us the whole story." - Classical: Upper class, personable, intellectual, unattractive and boring.
- Jazz: Friendly, emotionally stable, with a limited sense of responsibility.
- Rap: Lower class, athletic, energetic, hostile.
2010-07-25
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