Window to the Soul
Published June 30, 2003
Soulful Matters: Researchers say that music is a window to your soul, and they have the studies to prove it:
According to Gosling, the students categorized music into the following classifications: Blues, jazz, classical and folk music was collectively seen as "reflective and complex"; heavy metal and alternative was viewed as "intense and rebellious"; country music, sound tracks, religious and general pop song were labeled as "upbeat and conventional," and rap/hip-hop, soul/funk and electronic dance music was called "energetic and rhythmic." The students then indicated which types of these music styles appealed to them.
In a separate study, they were asked to identify their personality types and how they would describe themselves.
...Across the board, the way in which students viewed themselves meshed intricately with their musical choices.
For example, says Gosling, students who were extroverted commonly preferred cheerful music with vocals, while those who considered themselves open to new experiences preferred more intricately composed music.
Likewise, he says, those who preferred "esoteric" or complex music viewed themselves as being sophisticated, while those who enjoyed conventional music styles described themselves as having conservative life views.
For the students who looked at themselves as physically fit and athletic, the choice was upbeat, rhythmic, even vigorous music.
What's more, you can predict somone else's personality by the music they keep:
Finally, the researchers say cruising your partner's CD collection may also tell you a little something about their verbal and analytical skills. In still another of the six studies, those students who scored highest on tests measuring these functions frequently said they preferred far more complex music, compared to those who scored lower on these same tests.
When you remember that "complex music" was defined as "blues, jazz, classical and folk music," it becomes obvious that there was an inherent bias in this study. Obviously, it was conducted by NPR fans.
- Window to the Soul
- Published: June 30, 2003
- Type:
- Section: Music
- Filed Under: Music: News
- Writer: Sydney Smith
- Sydney Smith's BC Writer page
- Sydney Smith's personal site
- Spread the Word
- Like this article?
- Email this
Save to del.icio.us
Comments on this articleComments
Yeah, that's the weakness of their theory. They explained to the reporter that people tend to listen to different moods of music within the same category, but I know plenty of people who enjoy a wide variety of music types. But, then, when you get right down to it, our personalities aren't really that easily pigeon-holed, either.
These categories are pretty meaningless. Blues is complex, sophisticated music, but country music is just for dummies? And what music gets categorized where? Are the Beatles dumb pop music, not like a sophisticated 12-bar blues?
I don't know about this study, but it sounds like some crap where the results were built into the premises.
" I don't like country music, but I don't mean to denigrate those who do. And for the people who like country music, denigrate means 'put down' "-Bob Newhart
heh...that always makes me laugh.
but seriously, the categories really are meaningless.
what i've always wondered is what percentage of all listeners are like Tom Johnson (or maybe most blogcritics?)...you know, folks who have an interest in a wide variety of stuff.
i kinda think that maybe there's not many of us out there.
Even if it's only 10% that's almost 30 miilion people.
10% of what? all people or all listeners?
i just wonder because of course the whole idea of commerical radio is based on narrow interests (or...that's the way it works today anyway).
10% of all Americans
Add your comment, speak your mind
(Or ping: http://blogcritics.org/mt/tb/6610)
I'd like to know what this study would say about us folks who tend to listen to a little (well, actually, a lot) of everything.