The type of music playlist you listen to can tell a lot about your personality. Some people like classical music, while others prefer heavy metal. But there’s also a scientific explanation as to why this happens. We’re all born with a unique set of traits and tendencies that determine our personalities from day one. In fact, scientists have found that these traits are so ingrained in your DNA by birth that they can’t be changed later on.
If you want to know what makes up your very own personal soundtrack, whether or not it reflects who you really are, read on for an introduction to the science behind musical preferences.
Introversion.
Introverts are more likely to listen to classical music, jazz and folk music. These genres of music tend to be slower-paced and more meditative. They can help introverts relax and decompress.
Neuroticism.
Neuroticism is a psychological trait characterized by high levels of anxiety and emotional instability. People who score high on neuroticism tend to be more emotionally reactive. They are also more likely to interpret ordinary situations as threatening or stressful. This can lead them to perceive negative events as being more severe than they actually are, further increasing their anxiety level. The odd thing is you can almost tell a person’s neuro tendencies by their music playlist.
Neurotics also tend to experience strong reactions when they’re exposed to stressful situations; they may feel overwhelmed by their emotions or distressed at the thought of losing control over something important (such as an upcoming exam).
Extraversion.
- Extraversion is a personality trait that describes how outgoing, talkative and assertive you are.
- Extraverts enjoy being the centre of attention and being around other people. They are often optimistic and happy.
Openness to experience.
Openness to experience is the tendency to be imaginative, artistic and creative. People who are open to experience are more likely to listen to jazz, classical, pop and rock music. The trait is linked with your personality because it’s one of the five main dimensions of personality that you can use as an indicator of how you behave in life.
People who have low levels of openness tend towards conformity (like conventional ways), while those who have high levels of openness tend towards originality (like exploring new ideas).
Agreeableness.
Agreeableness is the tendency to be compassionate and cooperative rather than suspicious and antagonistic towards others. In other words, agreeable people are more likely to have a positive attitude towards others (i.e., they tend to be optimistic). They also tend to be friendlier than disagreeable individuals, which means that they can make friends easily. Lastly, agreeable people are more likely to get along with other people. They generally don’t hold grudges against others or feel threatened by them in any way.
Agreeable people also tend to be better listeners than their disagreeable counterparts. They’re less likely to interrupt someone while they’re talking or speak up before it’s their turn (and then say something rude like “You should’ve…”).
The type of music you listen to is as much a part of your personality as your height or eye colour.
As much as your friends and family may think you have a particular personality, the music playlist you listen to is a reflection of that. The type of music you choose to listen to reflects who you really are.
The types of music that make up our identities include:
- Music from our childhoods (if we grew up in the ‘60s or ‘70s)
- Alternative rock bands from the 2000s (like Nirvana)
- Hip-hop artists like Kanye West or Drake
We’ve just covered some of the best ways to use music playlists in life. We hope you found this article helpful, and we’re excited that it’s your turn to discover these benefits! If you have any questions about what kind of music is best for you leave us a comment below.
