Musical tastes and personality are closely linked, according to a recent study by the Heriot-Watt University in Scotland.
We have always known the fact that what you wear, eat and listen is linked to your personality (whether for good or bad). Finally, there has been some research done by the Scotland’s Heriot-Watt University. In a study of more than 36,000 people from six countries, they provide some type of detail on what types of personalities are tied to people’s taste in music. Here is a snippet from the article:
You are what you listen to
Jazz fans tend to be creative and outgoing, with high self-esteem, in keeping with the innovative and sociable nature of the music.
Country western fans were found to be hard-working, but introverted, fitting with the blue-collar image of country music.
The research concluded soul music lovers are a well-rounded bunch — creative, outgoing, gentle, at ease with themselves and with high self-esteem.
Rap fans are outgoing and far from gentle, while indie music lovers lack both self-esteem and the work ethic.
While Latin music (or specifically Salsa/Cha-Cha/Bachata) weren’t included in the article, I’m trying to see if it was included in the published research (trying to find the publication). I’m sure salseros(as) would at a minimum fall under ’sociable’ and ‘outgoing’. But I’d like to hear your opinion. What do you think Latin music expresses about our personality? (your comments below).
You can read and see the entire music genres studied using the links below.
[More over at BBC News: Music tastes link to personality ]
[More over at CBC News: Musical tastes in tune with who you are ]
Bloch is carried here as well,...
There’s only a press release regarding this study at Heriot-Watt University:
http://web.sls.hw.ac.uk/North/Press%20releasesept.doc
According to the study people who like the latino music style score high in every surveyed aspect of personality: self-esteem, creative, hardworking, outgoing, gentle and at ease. No other group of music lovers scores like this.
Briosa
Since I started taking Salsa lessons things have changed for me. But I think its the dancing more than the music. Although I am slowly starting to like Salsa music. I have my favorites.
Now I just need to learn to speak Spanish.
My take on music and personality: Freud said that most humans live in a state of melancholy to which I extrapolate and thus spin it to this topic by saying that people tend to lean towards a particular type of music only because it momentarily relieves them from that default state. So with that in mind I have to disagree that there is a personality associated with a particular musical genre. I read the article and I think it’s really overgeneralizing their topic.
I will add though, since we are discussing personalities, that salsa dancing feeds two particular types of personalities. As you may or may not know the prevalent theory behind personality is that you are born with the foundation and early in childhood it is molded and set for life. That being said, salsa feeds 1. the narcissist and 2. the dependent personality type. The narcissist generally presents with pervasive attention-seeking behavior(hats, scarfs) including inappropriate sexual seductiveness(dips) and shallow or exaggerated emotions(female styling in a male) sprinkled with a general sense of grandiosity(most instructors). On the other hand, the Dependent-type is a follower and unable to make decisions for himself and with feelings of inadequacy in social situations(the guys who hang out in the dark corner wanting to dance but unable to because of fear). What they both have in common, although not apparent on the surface, is low self-esteem. The interesting thing about this is that the salsa world needs both to succeed. Narcissist need that distinction that comes from “knowing” how to dance and the dependent needs the perpetual “guidance” and thus continues to take classes regardless of level or ability. A parallel to this world is a religious cult with its pompous leader and zealous members.
I guess the true question most ask is: Can the dependent one day become a narcissist? The answer is no but they will certainly continue to pay in an attempt to do so.
This is a very interesting study. I personally love many types of music, so I wonder if I have the characteristic of all of them. Does that mean I have a split personality? Some people who know might think so
Oh my word.
Karlosism – what a load of rubbish! You seriously believe that? I hope not… which group does that put you in?
Of course music and personality are linked. Just like food and personality, films, friends… everything is linked to personality traits.
What does it mean when you like a little bit of everything?
I was dancing last night, and thought the same thing about the male lead and the female styling. Historic perceptions of gender roles.
Karloism, I think that you have the words histrionic and narcissistic mixed up. Most of the traits that you described are actually traits that belong to someone with a histrionic personality disorder.
Anyway, I’m digressing from the topic here.
I think that personality and music do have a link, however, trying to generalize a specific genre of music with a few adjectives is simply not enough. Obviously, a persons choice in music is the result of their biological, psychological and social nature which cannot be easily ascribed to one trait. Not all country lovers are hardworking, some are fat, and lazy alcoholics. Not all indie lovers have low self esteem, some are aware that they are unique and love to express it. Not all rap fans are outgoing, some rap fans are stoners and like to play video games.
I like salsa because:
A. I can dance-(Biological/Phenotype)
B. Salsa music brings me to life and makes me smile. (Psychological)
C. Filipinos are heavily influenced by latin culture. (Social)
So to say that sals lovers are histrionic or narcissistic and dependent is like saying latin people are all narcissistic and dependent. My point is, ascribing a few adjectives to musical preference isn’t enough.
What does Latin music express about my personality?
I’d like to think it expresses the mantra I try to live by which is – “keep growing”. Being from a relatively small country in Africa (Cameroon)I’ve tried to avail myself to as many cultures/people as possible.
Driving home from work today, I was listening to Oiga Mire Vea (Orquesta Guayacan) and thinking to myself how much I love salsa music/dance. I don’t understand a word of the song (or most others for that matter) but there’s something about it that just hooks into me and won’t let go.
Salsa makes my body move like i like it to move..Its sexy…Its a turn on…i love how the dance makes two people glide across the dance floor like the wind. its a connection between two people that cant be describe w any other dance in my opinion. my personality is i very creative friendly..outgoing..hyper..like to enjoy life…so i think salsa is very lively..like me. thats my 2cents.
I think a lot of people begin salsa to express sublimely some kind of joy energy that begged to get out and have fun.
In the beginning I had to follow the music, now there is no need of that, simply when I dance the music and me are one.
Salsa really changed my life in a very good way.
I agree with Briosa.
Speaking as a psychiatrist who has studied developmental and clinical psychology in some depth – treat this research with a healthy dose of scepticism. These surveys pick up trends, not causal relationships and are very dependant on the sample size being representative of the population at large – usually they are not: eg. a bunch of students at university! These kinds of things get published in the national media in the UK at any rate during slow news periods – like the recent summer holiday period – and ignored at other times. Still interesting subject to debate. Personally I like all forms of music as long as they are good with the exception of country and western. Much of it must be cultural determined as I found latin music difficult to listen to at first until I got a sense of its language/vocabulary.
Nice rebuttle but on the second hand note as yto your reply, you say you enjoy all types of music but– AS long as it’s good. Who has the say so as to whether music is good or not so good? so maybe your personality is different standing to as which music you find to be tasteful or fulfulling. Maybe you should give this debate another shot.
Cappuccino, both histrionic and narcissistic personality disorders are found under the same family of personality disorders. One thing is to say that a person has a disorder vs. a trait. I never implied that people who salsa dance have “disorders” only that they had traits and parts of both narcissistic and histrionic. We all have components of each type..when those traits disrupt your function in life it is when they become disorders and require therapy and possibly medication… I didn’t want to be so technical when i was trying to set my point only highlight an observation that is common and not an absolute. This “crap” is actually a well studied field and it is believed by many in academia for decades as legit. Unless, you are a member of Scientology and a big fan of L. Ron Hubbard and Tom Cruise.
If interested in learning more I would read this: http://www.emedicine.com/med/TOPIC3472.HTM
Cappucino, I am curious as to why you think your ability to dance is somehow determined biologically, spefically by your looks (as you say, “Phenotype”). Maybe you could cite some recent sources on that. I’m pretty sure modern sciences (post-eugenics) agree that race (if that’s what you’re implying) is a social construction (i.e. not biological). Your ability to dance may be culturally influenced, but not biologically or “phenotypically” determined.
If somebody thinks you shouldn’t take salsa classes because you’re an advanced dancer, I think he/she has a serious complex of “know-it-all” and lack of humility.
Try to be the best, but never believe it, that’s the secret.
I seriously got angry when some dude look down on a beginner girl.
Karloism I apologize for misreading your blog. I reread your blog and I realized that you stated that “salsa feeds those two personality types”. Okay, perhaps you weren’t being technical. Sorry, my bad. It’s just interesting that you called them personality “types”. Anyway, I’m sticking to my argument that histrionic personality disorder and narcissistic personality disorder are two completely different PD’s unless there is comorbidity between the two which in most cases histrionic personality disorder has a higher comorbidity with borderline personality disorder. Oh and to add, I’m not a Scientologist nor am I a big fan of Tom Cruise lol.
Histrionic Personality Disorder are people who are self centered in a way that they dress flamboyantly usually in a very provocative way. They want to be the main focus of the crowd.
Narcissist’s think highly of themselves and are very egocentric and are only focused on what “they” think is important.
Narcissists and Histrionics alienate others and both seek attention but in a completely different way. What you stated in your blog above only refers to people with histrionic personality disorders.
Hey IncaPie, you stated a very good point. I’m glad you mentioned it. When I referred to phenotype as a physical attribute I wasn’t necessarily focusing on how a person “looks” nor was I concerned about their race. I was merely trying to say that some people are physically more capable of dancing than others regardless of racial background or color. When I stated that “I can dance” I didn’t intend that I can dance simply because I have latin blood. However, I think there are those who have an easier time with dancing merely because of their physical traits, like the ability to actually keep a beat or learn steps faster. But no I have no sources to back it up and I think I might have misunderstood the actual meaning of phenotype. But, yes thank you for bringing that up.
Cappuccino, I guess in the clinical world aka the real world it’s very difficult to label a PURE narcissistic and a PURE histrionic. Everything is always a mixture of things. In reality, people carry both traits. I mean if you want to get technical of course there is a difference but the over all point is this: BOTH seek attention to fulfill their blunted self esteem. I think I hit a soft spot in you. This is a common reaction because most individuals have no insight into their personality deficits and when insight is gained their is a clash between the id, ego, and superego until it boils over.
A soft spot eh? lol thats so cute. Actually I took abnormal psyche because I’m very interested in psychology. But whether I’m a narcissistic or histrionic can only be diagnosed by a professional however, I do agree with what you may think as a common reaction. I apologize if I offended you in any way, I guess I’m too pedantic and want to make things precisely as the it is described academically. So if anything, I’m OCD. lol