The Psychology of Musical Preference : Why do we choose certain music genres ?
Introduction In today ’ s hustle and bustle of the world , “ music ” has become a companion of the people in every situation . It affects people by regulating their emotions , building cognitive development , and providing them with a means of self-expression . Apart from these , “ music ” is something which keeps all of us connected as well . Today , everyone has their playlist : some prefer folk music , some like to hear jazz while many others are interested in hip-hop .
But have you ever wondered if there ’ s a proper psychology behind you choosing a particular music genre ?
Yes , you read it right ! Your favorite musical genre is a crucial part of your psychology . Let ’ s delve into exploring it more .
Decoding Our Musical Choices :
• Factors influencing music choice The Role of Personality : The personality traits , particularly the Big Five traits ( established by D . W . Fiske ), play an essential role in shaping your music liking . Let ’ s have a look at the “ Big Five Traits ” & their effects on musical preferences :
1 . Openness to Experience - If you are someone with a preference for novelty , complexity , and variety , you might tend to have a liking towards more complex and novel music styles , like classical , jazz , and eclectic genres .
2 . Conscientiousness - If a person tends to be organized and dependable , he / she is more likely to prefer intense and rebellious music genres . 3 . Extroversion - If someone is talkative , sociable , active , and warm , he / she might develop preferences for upbeat , energetic & rhythmic music styles , like rap , pop , and dance music .
4 . Agreeableness - If you are a cooperative , polite , kind , and friendly being , are shown to correlate with more easy-going and relaxed music preferences .
5 . Neuroticism - If someone has emotional instability , anxiety , self-doubt , and other negative feelings , he / she gets inclined towards sad music genres , to regulate their emotions with music .
The Role of Culture & Social Influences : One ’ s culture and traditions have a lot to do with their music preferences . The individuals are very often seen inclining music styles that are prevalent within their cultural milieu & reflecting familiarity .
For example - Someone from Japanese culture is more likely to listen to “ Kangen ” or “ Bugaku ” while a person from Indian culture would have more liking towards “ Hindustani ” or “ Carnatic ” music . Talking about social influences , such as family upbringing , peer interactions , and community engagement , are also equally responsible for shaping individuals ’ music preferences from a very young age . The people are more prone to be impacted as they seek to identify a special genre with peer groups , for expressing their social identity & establishing belongingness .
As per researchers , 38 % of Gen Z and 37 % of millennials are developing preferences towards ‘ Pop ’ or ‘ Rap ’ or ‘ Hip-Hop ’ via social influences .
Early Experiences and Exposure : Life ’ s early experiences also play a huge role in shaping our musical preferences . Whether it ’ s about listening to classical music from your grandma since childhood or seeking formative encounters with hip-hop artists on live shows , all these exposures and experiences have an immense power to leave an indelible mark on your musical journey .
Conclusion Overall , the psychology of particular musical preferences offers valuable insights into the subtle complexities of human behavior and musical expression . Our musical likings are the reflection of our psychological makeup , encompassing personality traits as the most important factor . So we hope now that if you are listening to some particular music , you know the psychology involved behind it . Happy Listening !!
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