Author Topic: You Are Your Record Collection  (Read 3891 times)

ggw

  • Member
  • Posts: 14237
You Are Your Record Collection
« on: July 15, 2003, 11:04:00 am »
You probably think this song is about you ...
 July 10 2003
 By Roger Dobson,
 
 You are your record collection, according to new research that reveals how personality is reflected through music.
 
 If you really want to get to know someone, try rummaging through their CD collection. An study has proved that when it comes to judging a person's character, their favourite music is one of the most valuable clues.
 
 Almost anything about a man or a woman - from their looks, intelligence and fitness, to politics, wealth and even conversational ability - can be gleaned from the tunes they enjoy most.
 
 People who favour Madonna's Material Girl, for example, are likely to be cheerful, outgoing and reliable. They will probably consider themselves physically attractive as well. If on the other hand, someone prefers the Rolling Stones' Brown Sugar, they are likely to possess more of an inquiring mind, enjoy taking risks, and consider themselves to be pretty intelligent.
 
 In the study, psychologists from the University of Texas questioned 3500 people about their individual musical preferences and then matched them with their personality traits.
 
 The American researchers, who reported their findings in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, say the link between music choice and personality has remained, until now, an unexplored area of psychology.
 
 "At this very moment, in homes, offices, cars, restaurants and clubs around the world, people are listening to music, but despite its prevalence in everyday life, the sound of music has remained mute within social and personality psychology," the report says.
 
 The researchers, who also found that people listened to music more often than almost any other activity, including reading, watching TV and viewing films, put the volunteers through personality tests designed to tease out as much about them as possible.
 
 They then asked the men and women about the music they liked the most. A total of 140 pieces of music were used, divided into 14 different genres, with 10 songs in each.
 
 John McKie, former editor of music magazines Q and Smash Hits, said: "I know guys that have split up with girls just because they found a dodgy record in their collection.
 
 "I don't think anyone who's really passionate about music just 'listens' to it. This research is positive confirmation of the fact that songs are emblematic of people's characters.
 
 "I've always believed that people's musical taste says a lot about them. If you like Avril Lavigne, for example, you probably need to have your ears syringed."
 
 Just why musical likes and dislikes are so closely linked to personality is not clear. One theory is that it is because individuals select music to reinforce their views of themselves.
 
 "Individuals may, for example, listen to esoteric music to reinforce a self-view of being sophisticated. Individuals might also select styles of music that allow them to send a message about how they like to be seen. Individuals who listen to heavy metal music at a loud volume with their car window down, for example, may be trying to convey a tough image." the report says. "If musical preferences are partially determined by personality, self-views and cognitive abilities, then knowing what kind of music a person likes could serve as a clue to his personality and views of himself."
 
 Researchers also found that while people had favourites, they also, flirted with other music: "One possibility is that people choose a tempo of music that is consistent with the heart rate that characterises their current or desired mood," says the report.
 
 Bob Dylan
 
 Blowin' in the Wind: Inventive, solid, open to new experiences, consider themselves to be intelligent, good conversationalists, but not too clever at maths or analytical stuff. Politically liberal, but not very sporty. Unlikely to be depressed.
 
 Beethoven
 
 Ode to Joy: Active imagination, values aesthetic experiences, inventive, tolerant of others, consider themselves to be intelligent, and reject conservative ideals. Least likely to say something without thinking first.
 
 Rolling Stones
 
 Brown Sugar: Agreeable, open to new experiences, athletic, intelligent, with good verbal skills, and tend to be dominant in interpersonal relationships.
 
 REM
 
 It's the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine): Not neurotic, curious about different things. Enjoy taking risks, physically active and intelligent. May be prone to depression.
 
 Jennifer Lopez
 
 I'm Real: Conventional, upbeat, cheerful, socially outgoing, reliable, enjoy helping others, and see themselves as physically attractive.
 
 Barry White
 
 Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe: A tendency to be talkative and full of energy. They are also forgiving, and have a strong dislike of conservatism.
 
 Harold Melvin and The Bluenotes
 
 If You Don't Know Me By Now: Extrovert, agreeable, also flirtatious with a tendency to express their feelings straight away. Liberal and athletic, and on the whole think of themselves as pretty attractive.
 
 - The Independent

markie

  • Member
  • Posts: 13178
Re: You Are Your Record Collection
« Reply #1 on: July 15, 2003, 11:12:00 am »
what about if you just listen to music that was recorded before 1987?
 
 Oh and what does reading the independent say about you?

Celeste

  • Guest
Re: You Are Your Record Collection
« Reply #2 on: July 15, 2003, 11:20:00 am »
Interesting...but not really all that conclusive...

mankie

  • Guest
Re: You Are Your Record Collection
« Reply #3 on: July 15, 2003, 11:25:00 am »
It's a load of bollocks if you ask me.
 
 What college puke came up with the startling news that your musical taste is a reflection of your personality...NO FUCKING SHIT YOU DUMB ARSE!

ggw

  • Member
  • Posts: 14237
Re: You Are Your Record Collection
« Reply #4 on: July 15, 2003, 11:45:00 am »
Quote
Originally posted by the scientist:
  what about if you just listen to music that was recorded before 1987?
The research says you are probably a crotchety old expatriate car salesman who spends his spare hours watching footie on the telly while clad in womens lingerie.
 
 
Quote
Originally posted by the scientist:
 Oh and what does reading the independent say about you?
I actually clipped it from an Australian paper called "The Age"  What does that say about me?
 
 http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/07/10/1057783259813.html

markie

  • Member
  • Posts: 13178
Re: You Are Your Record Collection
« Reply #5 on: July 15, 2003, 12:03:00 pm »
Quote
Originally posted by ggw:
 [QB] The research says you are probably a crotchety old expatriate car salesman who spends his spare hours watching footie on the telly while clad in womens lingerie.
 
 
  wow..... that research is spot on. It has had me laughing out loud. What about if you used to only listen to britpop, but now only listen to obscure alt country "legends"
 
 
   "The Age"  What does that say about me?
 
 
   It means you need to know that Macy Gray has just cancelled her Australian tour? In reality the person who reads the age is a old hippy who has complete sold out to embrace corporate culture, most likely to be seen at an outback steakhouse in a shiny suit.

sonickteam2

  • Guest
Re: You Are Your Record Collection
« Reply #6 on: July 15, 2003, 12:04:00 pm »
Quote
Originally posted by the scientist:
  what about if you just listen to music that was recorded before 1987?
 
 Oh and what does reading the independent say about you?
i think the former means your a hippie
 
 the latter means your a hipster.
 
 possibly

ggw

  • Member
  • Posts: 14237
Re: You Are Your Record Collection
« Reply #7 on: July 15, 2003, 12:12:00 pm »
Quote
Originally posted by the scientist:
 What about if you used to only listen to britpop, but now only listen to obscure alt country "legends"
You are a big priss. In your endless pursuit for coolness and acceptance you have erected a facade of complete independence by seeking out the most thoroughly arcane purveyors of pedestrian tuneage while simultaneously attempting to belittle the taste of all those who fail to share in your narcissistic indulgences.

allmy$to930

  • Member
  • Posts: 309
Re: You Are Your Record Collection
« Reply #8 on: July 15, 2003, 12:16:00 pm »
Rob: What came first, the music or the misery? People worry about kids playing with guns, or watching violent videos, that some sort of culture of violence will take them over. Nobody worries about kids listening to thousands, literally thousands of songs about heartbreak, rejection, pain, misery and loss. Did I listen to pop music because I was miserable? Or was I miserable because I listened to pop music?

markie

  • Member
  • Posts: 13178
Re: You Are Your Record Collection
« Reply #9 on: July 15, 2003, 12:19:00 pm »
I am not sure you are as accurate with that one as you were before..... I am amazed it didnt lead you to conclude a sexually dubious past.......
 
 Oh I have thought of another one.
 
 What about the guy who sings along to all the Billy Bragg songs, then the moment the show is finished he completely denies it?
 
 And another one is, what does liking Mars Voltas new album say about someone?

ggw

  • Member
  • Posts: 14237
Re: You Are Your Record Collection
« Reply #10 on: July 15, 2003, 12:21:00 pm »
Quote
Originally posted by allmy$to930:
  Rob: What came first, the music or the misery? People worry about kids playing with guns, or watching violent videos, that some sort of culture of violence will take them over.
http://www.rollingstone.com/news/newsarticle.asp?nid=18352
 
 
Quote
Originally posted by allmy$to930:
 Nobody worries about kids listening to thousands, literally thousands of songs about heartbreak, rejection, pain, misery and loss.
We've seen the deleterious effects -- its name is Dashboard Confessional.
 
 
Quote
Originally posted by allmy$to930:
 Did I listen to pop music because I was miserable? Or was I miserable because I listened to pop music?
Yes.

ggw

  • Member
  • Posts: 14237
Re: You Are Your Record Collection
« Reply #11 on: July 15, 2003, 12:22:00 pm »
Quote
Originally posted by the scientist:
 What about the guy who sings along to all the Billy Bragg songs, then the moment the show is finished he completely denies it?
 
Obviously, he needs to stop going to shows with liars.

markie

  • Member
  • Posts: 13178
Re: You Are Your Record Collection
« Reply #12 on: July 15, 2003, 12:27:00 pm »
If I listened to slipknot I would probably want to kill myself.... OOOO guys in make up, thats sooo 1970s dude.
 
 As for liars....
 
 do you think that no one has ever gone to a Billy Bragg show, sung along, and denied it later? I find that very difficult to believe.

mankie

  • Guest
Re: You Are Your Record Collection
« Reply #13 on: July 15, 2003, 12:34:00 pm »
Quote
Originally posted by ggw:
 
Quote
Originally posted by the scientist:
 [qb] what about if you just listen to music that was recorded before 1987?[/b]
The research says you are probably a crotchety old expatriate car salesman who spends his spare hours watching footie on the telly while clad in womens lingerie.
 
 
Quote

 ..see, it works!

walkman

  • Guest
Re: You Are Your Record Collection
« Reply #14 on: July 15, 2003, 03:36:00 pm »
Quote
Originally posted by mankie:
  It's a load of bollocks if you ask me.
 
 What college puke came up with the startling news that your musical taste is a reflection of your personality...NO FUCKING SHIT YOU DUMB ARSE!
I'll second that.