Music Preferences Research Articles

Relationship between personality and music preference: Psychometric adaptation of the music preference scales in a Chinese sample

Individuals evidently have different tastes in and preferences for music. The purpose of this study was to develop two scales for measuring music preference based on genres (text-based) and excerpts (clip-based), using a Chinese sample to explore the relationship between music preference and personality. Specifically, we collected measures of people’s self-reported preferences for a wide range of music genres for further analysis in Study 1. In Study 2, we developed two music preference scales based on the genres identified in Study 1, one text- and the other clip-based. The results of two principal component analyses suggest three-dimensional psychological structures of music preference using both versions of the scale: (1) Traditional and Retro, (2) Exotic and Complex, and (3) Intense and Rebellious. Correlation and regression analyses of music preferences and personality also indicated that music preference is a relatively stable construct that reflects personality traits. Moreover, the three factors identified from the results of studying music preferences in a Chinese sample differ from those identified in studies of music preference in Western countries, suggesting that music preference is influenced by culture. The two scales yielded similar but slightly different outcomes reflecting their discrete emphases and characteristics; they can be used separately or together, depending on the research topic and question. In this study we verified the structure of music preference among a Chinese sample. It provides a reference point for theoretical research on music preference and personality and has practical applications.

Exploring Spotify's Music Popularity Dynamics and Forecasting with Machine Learning

Abstract. Spotify, one of the largest music streaming service providers, boasts a vast user base and an extensive music catalog. To gain a deeper understanding of Spotify users' music preferences and behavioral patterns, this paper conducts a thorough analysis and explores the correlation between music features and user behavior. It collects Spotify users' music listening data and extracts various music features such as energy, danceability, valence, and beats per minute (BPM). These features not only reflect the musical style and rhythm but also potentially correlate with users' preferences and listening habits. Then we employ two machine learning models, Decision Trees and Random Forests, to model and analyze Spotify users' behavior data. Through these models, we can accurately identify potential relationships between music features and user behavior. The experimental results indicate that music features such as energy, danceability, valence, and BPM have a significant impact on users' music selection and preferences. By analyzing the most popular songs on Spotify over different time periods, we discover that songs with high energy, danceability, and valence tend to be more popular among users. This finding not only validates the correlation between music features and user behavior but also reveals the user preferences and market demands behind music trends. For music streaming service providers, understanding users' music preferences and behavioral patterns is crucial. By deeply analyzing user data, music streaming services can better satisfy users' needs, enhance user experience, and stand out in the fiercely competitive market. These findings have important practical implications for music streaming service providers and provide new insights and methodologies for the research and development of the music industry.

The Effect of Music Distraction on Dental Anxiety During Invasive Dental Procedures in Children and Adults: A Meta-Analysis

Background: Dental anxiety and odontophobia are common issues, leading to challenges with oral hygiene and dental health. Music distraction offers an effective and side effect-free solution to alleviate pain and increase the acceptability of dental treatments. Our meta-analysis aimed to assess the efficacy of music distraction in reducing patient anxiety during invasive dental procedures in children and adults. Methods: The PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases were searched for clinically controlled trials, using the keywords “music” and “dental anxiety”. The main outcome measured was the anxiety score. A meta-analysis was conducted using a random-effects model to estimate the standardized mean differences (SMDs). The subgroup analyses were conducted based on age groups, music preferences, and music styles. The research protocol has been registered with PROSPERO (Registration ID: CRD42022357961). Results: A total of 24 controlled clinical trials involving 1830 participants met the inclusion criteria for the meta-analysis. Music distraction significantly reduced dental anxiety during invasive procedures under local anesthesia (SMD, −0.50; 95% CI, −0.80 to −0.21; p = 0.0009; I2 = 83%). Our subgroup analysis revealed that music distraction was more effective in adults (SMD, −0.51; p = 0.0007) than in children (SMD, −0.47; p = 0.13) in reducing dental anxiety. Regarding music selection, music chosen by the participant (SMD, −1.01; p = 0.008) demonstrated more anxiolytic effects than by the author (SMD, −0.24; p = 0.02). Regarding music styles, classical music (SMD, −0.69; p = 0.009) was associated with better anxiolytic effects in adults. Conclusions: Our meta-analysis supports the use of music to alleviate dental anxiety during invasive procedures. Listening to classical or customized music can serve as an effective adjunct to outpatient surgical care in dental clinics.

Listen to your heart: The effect of music on heart rate variability

Abstract Background Heart rate variability (HRV) is indicative of autonomic balance. High HRV during sinus rhythm is associated with reduced morbidity and mortality across a wide range of health disorders. Listening to music has been shown to induce psychological and physiological responses that increase HRV, a mechanism currently employed in music therapy to reduce anxiety and post-operative pain. However, it remains unclear which music characteristics have the most positive effect on HRV. Purpose This study aimed to assess the impact of different music genres, white noise, tempo, and personal music preferences on HRV. Methods Adults without atrial fibrillation or pacemaker dependency were included during the Netherlands largest three-day music festival. Participants were subjected to three-minute fragments of white noise, and subsequently a randomized order of classical, rock, electronic and the subject’s most-listened personal ("Spotify Wrapped 2022") music; all having an either fast (130-140 BPM) or slow tempo (70-80 BPM), which was randomized as well. Afterwards, participants ranked all music fragments in order of their preference. A tachogram was collected using the PPG sensor of an Apple Watch Series 8. Data was pre-processed to exclude non-sinus rhythm beats and measurement artefacts. HRV time-domain (SDNN, RMSSD, NN50, pNN50, triangular index) and frequency-domain (LF, LFn, HF, HFn, LF/HF) metrics were calculated from the tachograms using Python-software. HRV outcomes were corrected for age, sex, heart rate and music tempo group and analyzed using general linear mixed models in SPSS. Results In total 242 participants with a median age of 28 years (IQR 24-32) were included, of which 136 (56%) female. Classical music showed a significantly higher HRV response (RMSSD) compared to electronic (p=0.025) and the subject’s personal music (p=0.030, see figure). No other significant differences in HRV were found between the different genres and personal music. White noise showed a significantly higher HRV for all time domains, as well as LF and HF, compared to the different genres and personal music. A total of 181 (74.8%) participants ranked their personal music fragment as the most preferred. There was no difference between the fast and slow tempo group when performing an interaction analysis for tempo and the different music genres except for classical and personal music (RMSSD, p = 0.047). Conclusions This large study highlights that classical music enhances HRV more than other music, suggesting its therapeutic potential. Remarkably, white noise showed the greatest increase in HRV. Although these were bitter pills to swallow; white noise or classical music once a day might keep the doctor away.

The role of gender in emotional reactions elicited by music: Autonomic reactivity, facial expression, and self-reports

Studies in the field of emotions have yielded mixed findings regarding differences between women’s and men’s emotional reactivity. In the majority, emotional scenes, facial expressions, and movies were used as stimuli. However, music has been less frequently used, despite its capacity to evoke strong emotional responses in the listeners. In this study, we aimed to explore the role of gender in emotional reactivity to music. A sample of 110 healthy participants (60 women) listened to 42 excerpts (14 pleasant, 14 neutral, 14 unpleasant) from the Film Music Stimulus Set (FMSS) for 8 s, while their autonomic reactivity and facial expression were continuously recorded. Participants then rated each excerpt on affective dimensions (hedonic valence, tension arousal, and energy arousal), discrete emotions (happiness, anger, fear, tenderness, and sadness), musical preference, and familiarity. Some differences were found between women’s and men’s reactivity to the stimuli, such that women showed a greater deceleration of heart rate while listening to both emotional (pleasant and unpleasant) and neutral music, and rated unpleasant excerpts as less preferred. Women also scored higher on trait anxiety compared to men. These results suggest that women may have heightened sensitivity to emotional stimuli, particularly unpleasant music, which could have implications for better understanding clinical pathologies that vary in prevalence based on gender.

The Influence of Japanese City Pop Music on Emerging Adults’ Sleep Quality

Purpose: Previous studies suggest music as a low-risk, low-cost method to improve sleep quality, particularly beneficial for individuals with high-stress lifestyles. This research focuses on City Pop Music, chosen for its ability to evoke positive feelings and nostalgia, anticipating it will enhance sleep quality. Method: Using a Pretest Post-test between Control Group Design, this study involves 10 participants equally divided into control and experimental groups. Treatment lasts 21 days, with data collection every 7 days. Data includes the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Bedtime Procrastination Scale, and Scale of Positive and Negative Experiences. Qualitative data was gathered through participant journaling and interviews. Result: Sleep quality showed no improvement in participants exposed to city pop music (p=0.05; p>0.05). There were no changes in positive and negative experiences or bedtime procrastination. T-tests also showed that there were no differences between groups during treatment (p=0.59; p>0.05). However, qualitative data revealed feelings of calmness, enjoyment, and relaxation among participants. Conclusion: While city pop music didn't enhance sleep quality, qualitative findings suggest it may induce calmness and relaxation. Possible factors contributing to these results include individual music preferences, room temperature, and sleep conditions. Future research is necessary to design interventions according to each person’s preferences.

Like It or Not: Exploring the Impact of (Dis)liked Background Music on Player Behavior and Experience

Entertainment media, including video games, utilize background music (BGM) to enhance ambiance and gameplay, with a growing trend of players replacing in-game audio with personal music for potentially improved gameplay. Yet, research has not systematically investigated the connection between liked or disliked BGM and player behavior and experience. With our work, we make this step by letting users play the popular and well-researched game Tetris with BGM of their choice, and go one step further by adding music to the game that they specifically dislike, as this direction has been neglected thus far, but could prove interesting to target certain player behavior or experience. In our lab-study (N=31) we found that liked BGM increased engagement with the game and enhanced player experience, while disliked music reduced immersion. These findings suggest that music preferences should be taken into greater account in game design, e.g. by offering more options for BGM customization.

Possibilities of music preferences measures in younger school age children

The musical-preference framework of a child at younger school age is gradually formed and shaped. The study outlined the possibilities of measuring musical taste at a younger school age and draws attention to the real specifics that this entails. We verified the newly created instrument - Musical Preference Questionnaire of Younger Pupils - MPQ-YP on 84 pupils (n=84) aged from 6 to 10 years (Mage=8.23). The 3-factor solution, which divides MPQ-YP into 3 categories of music genres - reflective and unconventional music; energetic and rhythmic music; optimistic and complex music, turned aout to be satisfactory. Psychometric properties are adequate, MPQ-YP seems to be sufficiently valid (construct and content validity) and reliable (measure of internal consistency and split-half reliability). Pilot descriptive results of younger schoolchildren's musical taste provide information about recognized musical genres and their preferences. The findings can be applied to the practice of music educators, music philetics and music therapists.

A proposed Critical Theory of Music Vilification to explain “problem music”

Links between certain music genres and detrimental behaviors and impacts have often resulted in labeling specific music genres as problematic. The resultant concept of so-called problem music (SCPM) typically focuses on hip hop and rock as well as their related genres. However, researchers have repeatedly found a lack of causal empirical evidence of SCPM and noted that the essential aspect is not the music genre, but rather how the music functions for the individual. This paper proposes the Critical Theory of Music Vilification (CTMV) to explain the vilification of SCPM. First, individuals exist within greater societal systems that oppress and marginalize people. Drawing from theories of social and musical identities, people may embrace SCPM to critique oppressive systems and develop social cohesion through in-group identities. Based on theories of stereotypes in music, societal systems often further ostracize people based on their music preferences and musical identities and people may experience harm. The experienced vilification and harm can reinforce people’s music preferences and corresponding musical identities. Societal systems then may vilify the music that was meant to critique their own systemic and policy failures, resulting in a cycle of music vilification. By including systems of oppression, classism and stereotypes in music, and music preferences and musical identities that critique systems and provide social cohesion, the CTMV provides context to SCPM as a socially constructed idea lacking empirical evidence. Implications, limitations, and suggestions for future research are provided.

The Influence of Personality on Music Preference Across Geographic Locations

How does personality affect music preference? The Big Five Theory of Personality is used to answer this question as it is the most widely used scientific method of assessing personality. The Big 5 comprises five broad trait dimensions: extraversion, openness, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and neuroticism. Most studies on music preference involve separating music into different genres and assessing preference. The main correlates of the Big 5 and music preference are discussed. Also, some research has shown that geography matters in the link between personality and music preference, while others do not.

Designing and Applying Educational Scenarios using Synth4kids Musical Educational Software in Preschool Education

The rapid technological advancement of recent years has transformed how people interact with music. In a world where digital transformation is accelerating, the role of technology in music education has become increasingly crucial. In particular, digital platforms and tools are reshaping the way music is taught, especially for younger generations. Children in the digital age are exposed to various musical experiences and preferences. This has led to the development of digital learning environments and software for preschool children, creating a fundamentally new educational framework. However, music pedagogy often relies on traditional teaching models that do not incorporate digital technologies. This article discusses findings from an educational intervention using the Synth4kids software in early childhood music education. Synth4kids offers new avenues for educators to incorporate technology into early childhood education, encouraging creativity, collaboration, and engagement. The study highlights how combining technology and music pedagogy can enrich the learning experience for young children. The results highlight a new techno-centric learning environment where children engage actively and enthusiastically in authentic music teaching and learning situations, transforming their experiences and developing new musical and technological skills. Additionally, the study shows the importance of designing child-friendly software that balances educational goals with playful engagement.

Impact of Sensory Marketing on Consumer Behaviour: Gender Differences in Aroma, Music, and Visual Aesthetic Preferences in Coffee Shops

The study investigates the impact of sensory marketing on consumer behaviour in coffee shops, with a focus on gender differences. Utilizing sensory stimuli such as aroma, music, and visual aesthetics, the research examines how these elements shape the customer experience. A mixed-methods approach was employed, integrating quantitative survey data and qualitative interview insights. ANOVA results revealed statistically significant gender differences in responses to aroma and music stimuli (p < 0.05), with females exhibiting stronger preferences for ambient scents and males showing a higher tolerance for louder music. Effect sizes indicated moderate-to-large differences in sensory preferences between genders. These findings offer valuable guidance for coffee shop marketers, particularly for brands like Starbucks, to craft targeted sensory strategies that enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty by aligning marketing efforts with gender-specific preferences.

The impact of different music genres on pain tolerance: emphasizing the significance of individual music genre preferences

Music is a promising (adjunctive) treatment for both acute and chronic pain, reducing the need for pharmacological analgesics and their side effects. Yet, little is known about the effect of different types of music. Hence, we investigated the efficacy of five music genres (Urban, Electronic, Classical, Rock and Pop) on pain tolerance. In this parallel randomized experimental study, we conducted a cold pressor test in healthy volunteers (n = 548). The primary outcome was pain tolerance, measured in seconds. No objective (tolerance time) or subjective (pain intensity and unpleasantness) differences were found among the five genres. Multinomial logistic regression showed that overall genre preference positively influenced pain tolerance. In contrast, the music genres that participants thought would help for pain relief did not. Our study was the first to investigate pain tolerance at genre level and in the context of genre preference without self-selecting music. In conclusion, this study provides evidence that listening to a favored music genre has a significant positive influence on pain tolerance, irrespective of the kind of genre. Our results emphasize the importance of individual music (genre) preference when looking at the analgesic benefits of music. This should be considered when implementing music in the clinical setting.

Measuring emotions to classify songs: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on music streaming data

Data from music streaming has gained increasing attention since it allowsstudying music preferences across diverse cultures and different periods of time.Indeed, the study of “music and emotion” is crucial for understanding the psychologicalrelationship between human sentiments and music. The temporal studyof musical emotions provides beneficial insights into the analysis of the mood oflisteners during periods of particular relevance and stress (e.g., the COVID-19pandemic). This study performs music streaming data analysis to retrieve themusical emotions of the top Italian streamed songs during the pandemic. To thisend, we propose two new indices for measuring anger and joy in songs. We suggesta procedure for clustering music streaming data: the DISTATIS procedureand Partitioning Around Medoids (PAM) clustering algorithm are sequentiallyapplied to identify intervals of time sharing similar sentiments. Finally, we employthe proposed procedure to investigate the relationship between the evolutionof the pandemic spread and sentiments extracted from songs. The results show that music streaming data analysis allow identifying fiveclusters of time intervals sharing similar sentiments,

HARMONIOUS RHYTHMS: EXPLORING THE IMPACT OF MUSIC ON PRODUCTIVITY IN EDUCATIONAL AND WORKPLACE SETTINGS

Background: The relationship between music and productivity has garnered significant interest in both educational and workplace settings, prompting investigations into the cognitive and emotional mechanisms through which music influences task performance. Specific Background: Existing literature suggests that music can enhance cognitive processes, yet findings remain inconclusive regarding its overall impact on productivity levels, particularly in relation to individual differences and environmental factors. Knowledge Gap: Limited empirical studies have simultaneously addressed how genre preferences, personality traits, and contextual variables moderate the effects of music on productivity, highlighting the need for a comprehensive examination of these interactions. Aims: This research aims to elucidate the relationship between music listening and productivity levels among students and employees by employing a mixed-methods approach, integrating quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews. Results: Preliminary findings indicate that music listening positively influences cognitive processes such as concentration and memory while also alleviating stress and anxiety, thus enhancing overall task performance. However, variations were noted based on individual music preferences and the nature of the tasks performed. Novelty: This study uniquely synthesizes insights from psychology, neuroscience, and organizational behavior to provide a nuanced understanding of how music can be effectively integrated into productivity-enhancing strategies. Implications: The results suggest that educators and employers should consider individual preferences and contextual factors when incorporating music into productivity frameworks. By fostering environments conducive to music listening and allowing flexibility in music selection, stakeholders can optimize performance and well-being, thereby promoting creativity and satisfaction in both educational and workplace settings.

A Study on the Musical Preferences of Twenties by Enneagram Personality Type

A Study on the Musical Preferences of Twenties by Enneagram Personality Type

Demand and supply side effects of COVID-19 on music streaming

ABSTRACT Restrictions imposed to fight the Covid-19 pandemic dramatically changed life. This affected the entertainment industry with consequences on the demand (consumer behavior in terms of quantity and preferences) and supply side (quantity of published products). Suffering from revenue losses because of canceled live events due to Covid-19, the music industry heavily relied on streaming revenues so we investigate how the lockdowns and other restrictions affected demand and supply within the music streaming industry. Using daily Spotify streaming data, as well as the MusicBrainz encyclopedia, we empirically investigate changes in the number of streams per day, listening preferences (demand side), and the number of releases (supply side) for the United States, Germany, Brazil, and Indonesia. For the demand side, the results imply that lockdown measures led to a decrease in the total number of streams per day. This coincided with country-specific changes in music preferences such as a short-term increase in the consumption of happy music. On the supply side, a global increase in songs released with increasing lockdown measures was found. Although most effects mitigate over time, they lead to serious ongoing financial consequences for artists, record labels, and streaming services.

Youth Identity Development on the Basis of Traditional Kazakh Folk Music

This study strived to determine the most popular music genre among young Kazakhs in the context of personal, social, and national identity development, specify the relationship between musical preferences and personality type, and disclose the level of influence of traditional Kazakh folk music on the identity of the Kazakh youth. The authors conducted a survey and a test by taking advantage of such research methods as sociological survey, statistical analysis, social phenomena cognition (assessment, analogy tracking, comparison), psychological and typological concepts of Jung, as well as Abulkhanova-Slavskaya’s methodology for revealing personality traits. As a result of the investigation, hip-hop and rap were identified as the most popular music genres among the respondents (42.2%). Analysis of the data obtained in accordance with Abulhanova-Slavskaya’s personality typology revealed that 89% of the respondents preferring blues/jazz, classical music, and folk music demonstrated personality traits corresponding to the reflexive personality type; 91% of punk/rock and heavy metal fans showed conformity to the contemplative personality type; 87.5% of pop-music lovers were attributed the harmonious personality type; 93.5% of hip-hop and rap music fans – the productive personality type; 84% of traditional music fans – the performing type; and 96% of fans of pop with folk tunes – the functional type. It was also uncovered that 89% of the respondents who preferred traditional music belonged to the sensitive personality type characterized by impressionability, openness, empathy, alertness, firmness, conscientiousness, and, at the same time, inferiority complexes, and a tendency to psychogenic depressions and phobias.

A Literacy Study on the Houba Folk Song of the Tujia from Shi San Village in Chongqing, China

A Literacy Study on the Houba Folk Song of the Tujia from Shi San Village in Chongqing, China Shi San Village, which is recognized as the “birthplace of folk songs,” has a rich history of Houba folk song that chronicle the cultural evolution and daily lives of the Tujia people over thousands of years. This study examines the historical development of Houba folk song across five distinct periods and explores their four primary social functions: cognitive and educational, entertainment, etiquette and communication, and cultural transmission. The research employs a literature review, fieldwork, and interviews with key informants, including inheritors of Houba folk song and cultural officials. Findings indicate that while the historical evolution of Houba folk song aligns with existing literature on Tujia music culture, documentation specific to Shi San Village is significantly lacking. This study addresses this gap by providing detailed insights into the unique historical and cultural context of Houba folk song. In addition, the study identifies current challenges in the transmission of Houba folk song, such as limited accessibility, insufficient publicity, and the impact of modern music preferences. It proposes several strategies to enhance the preservation and transmission of Houba folk song, including integrating them into school curricula, publishing teaching materials, improving infrastructure, and leveraging social media for broader dissemination. By documenting the historical and social significance of Houba folk song and proposing practical solutions for their preservation, this study contributes to the safeguarding of this intangible cultural heritage, ensuring its continued relevance and appreciation for future generations.

Lunch melodies: Investigating the impact of music on emotions, hunger, liking, and psychophysiology while viewing a lunch meal

Sensory cues like music can influence our behaviour towards food. In the present study, the effect of music on hunger, fullness, desire to eat and liking of foods, while viewing real lunch food items, was investigated. To this end, emotions and physiological measures were obtained to understand the changes in hunger, fullness, desire to eat and liking. The study aimed to examine changes in hunger, fullness, desire to eat, and liking when viewing a lunch meal under silent and varying music conditions. Additionally, the study explored the potential role of emotions to explain these changes. A crossover experimental design was employed using 50 participants (17 males and 33 females) who observed lunch food items during a silent condition (control), or while listening to either liked or disliked music. The findings demonstrate the cross-modal influence of music on hunger and food liking ratings when viewing food. Hunger ratings were higher and more negative emotions were evoked while viewing lunch food items and listening to disliked music. In contrast, in the silent and liked music conditions, which elicited more positive emotions, there were increased ratings of healthy and unhealthy food pleasantness, overall food liking, and food satisfaction. Electrophysiological measures of heart rate (HR) and skin conductance (SC) were obtained while listening to music and viewing a lunch meal. Viewing food items while listening to disliked music evoked negative emotions and significantly increased SC compared to liked music or silent conditions. Viewing the food items under the silent condition evoked positive emotions and significantly increased HR compared to listening to liked and disliked music. This study showed that the participants’ emotions, hunger level, liking, and electrophysiological responses when viewing food are influenced by music that varied with liking. Results from this study may assist in enhancing dining experiences, as well as influencing food choices and satisfaction with meals.