Music Preferences and Their Associations With Uses of Music and Personality Factors and Facets

Abstract

In this study, we examined the associations between music preferences, uses of music and personality factors and facets. The sample included 449 participants (50% female, M  =  23.59, SD  =  2.14) who indicated preferences for international and regional music styles that were classified into Reflective and Complex, Intense and Rebellious, Upbeat and Conventional, Energetic and Rhythmic, and Regional preferences, and filled in the Uses of Music Inventory and IPIP-300 questionnaire. After controlling for age, gender and uses of music, personality significantly added to the prediction of all music preferences, except Energetic and Rhythmic. Personality factors explained additionally from 9% to 21%, and facets from 18% to 34% of the music preference variance, respectively. Openness, as well as some openness facets, emerged as significant predictors for different music preferences. Our results indicate that when trying to explain preferences with personality traits, the personality traits should be measured at the facet level.