Study shows you are what you listen to

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Tell them what you listen to, and they can tell you who you are. \nSamuel Gosling and Peter Rentfrow, two professors at the University of Texas, conducted a study that links musical preference with personality traits. \nThe study revealed that some stereotypes have an element of truth. According to a summary of the study, people drawn to reflective and complex music such as jazz, classical, folk and blues tend to be imaginative, value aesthetic experiences, are tolerant of others and are politically liberal. \nThose who prefer music in the intense and rebellious categories – rock, heavy metal and alternative – are inclined to be curious risk-takers who are physically active and intelligent. \nListeners of upbeat and conventional music, such as country, pop and religious music, tend to be outgoing, helpful and conservative and see themselves as physically attractive. \nGosling and Rentfrow’s final category – energetic and rhythmic music – included funk, hip-hop, soul and electronica. Individuals who listen to music from this category are inclined to be talkative, energetic and forgiving. They also see themselves as being attractive and are opposed to conservative ideals. \nRussell Robinson, a University of Florida music professor, said culture plays a large part in determining what music style an individual chooses. \nThe music’s composition has to be simple enough for the individual to understand the piece based on their previous exposure to music but also complex enough to keep the listener entertained. \n“Sometimes there is a problem with contemporary music because it is hard for the general audience to understand,” Robinson said. “The piece can be played perfectly, but the listener won’t get it.” \nRobinson said a social factor is also involved with musical preferences. \n“If you put people in a room to listen to music, there will be a different response than if they listen to it individually because of the social aspect,” Robinson said. “Someone might say they like it for a particular reason that you had not considered.” \nIn college especially, people want to find things to do together and music is often a common interest, he said. \n“It just makes sense that people with common interests would gather at the same place,” said Stella Leung, a University of Florida animal sciences student and indie-pop music listener. \nDavid Kushner, a Univeristy of Florida music professor, agrees that music relates people to one another. \n“Like draws like,” Kushner said. \nHis idea of similar interests drawing similar crowds is evident in the music-themed nights many Gainesville, Fla., venues offer. \nOn evenings when the venues focus on playing specific styles of music, such as 80s music, indie, hip-hop or jazz, the crowd demographics change accordingly. \nCameron Burris is the DJ for “Bang Bang Thursdays” at The Atlantic, commonly known as “indie night.” He said the crowd is mainly composed of young hipsters wearing American Apparel and slightly retro ’80s garb. \nMaggie Rogers, 22, said she started going to indie night at University Club on Mondays about four years ago in order to meet people who have common interests. \nLive jazz nights at Leonardo’s 706 tend to draw a more professional and retiree audience. \nThe crowd usually wears business or laid-back Tommy Bahama attire, and their drinks of choice are martinis, said Aaron Newman, general manager at Leonardo’s 706. \nDJ Shea Michaels, who spins at the Grog House Bar and Grill, said Hip-Hop Night draws individuals who have an urban style. Baggy clothes, gold chains and sideways-turned hats are common. \nEach venue agreed that the crowds were consistent from week to week. \n“Kids in Gainesville don’t like change,” Michaels said. “If they have a good time one night, they are going to come back expecting the same thing.” \nDue to the varied population in Gainesville, there are plenty of nights with music that is not genre-specific. \nOn the weekends, Michaels said he starts with classic oldies, then progresses to popular alternative rock hits and finally works his way to dancer-friendly hip-hop beats. \nHe said this sort of musical compilation is the norm at most Gainesville clubs. \nIndividuals who make music a more central part of their lives gravitate toward the genre-specific nights. \nThey might also dress, act and even drink in similar ways to artists they admire and friends who share their musical interests. \n“There is a great deal of conformity that is involved with each type of music,” Kushner said. “The performers affect the audience that they draw.” \nRobinson said people who have allowed themselves to go deep into music will have more specific musical tastes and create a lifestyle around the music. \n“The more people are involved with music the more they will want to be a part of it,” Robinson said. “They have allowed music to make a connection in their soul.”