Researchers from the University of Cambridge found that the choice of songs in the playlist depends much more on personal traits than on the country or culture. They also found that music helps to achieve the desired state or mood.
350 thousand people from 50 countries of the world participated in the study. They filled out a questionnaire in which they were asked to tell about themselves, indicate the genres and subgenres of music that they liked the most. After that, the respondents listened to short excerpts of compositions and chose those that they particularly liked.
Scientists have found that Ed Sheeran's Shivers are the choice of extroverts. And people who tend to worry about anything are more likely to listen to Smells Like Teen Spirit from Nirvana.
If a person in the playlist has What's Going On by Marvin Gaye or Shallow by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, then most likely he will be nice, sociable and responsive. People who are open and not prone to stereotypical thinking will be happy with David Bowie's Space Oddity or Nina Simone's compositions. And Rage Against the Machine tracks are not the choice of the most conscientious and punctual people.
Why is this happening? According to scientists, extroverts constantly need positive emotions, and cheerful dance music helps them to get into a state of excitement. The love of order and conscientiousness is not compatible with rebellious rock compositions, and an unusual view of the world gives rise to a craving for a kind of music.
The preferences of people prone to neurosis are especially interesting. Some of them choose aggressive metal tracks to let off steam. Others prefer soothing positive compositions.
The lead author of the study noted:
We were surprised at how accurately the connection between music and personality is reproduced in different countries of the world. People may be divided by geography, language, and culture, but if an introvert in one part of the world likes the same music as introverts in other parts of the world, this indicates that music can be a very powerful link or bridge between us.
