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Music is a central part of many people’s lives but what personality factors affect how we listen?

A new study shows who’s most likely to listen to what kind of music, and how.

By understanding what you seek in your musical choices, you can gain important self-insights.

You’ve argued with your significant other, and now you find yourself in need of comfort. Putting on one of the songs you both enjoy, you start to feel better. The song captures your feelings of distress but also gives you hope.

People listen to music for a multitude of reasons, from the aesthetic to the emotional. But music can also serve a social function, connecting us to others. Listening to that song with your partner could completely change the way you interpret it. Or you may have another tune that you save for special times with your friends. Although the individual and the social reasons aren’t mutually exclusive, maybe one weighs more heavily in your own emotional experiences than the others.

Personality Types and Music Listening Preferences

It’s probably safe to say that the desire to listen to music is nearly universal. There may be some people who don’t find any pleasure in music, but they are few and far between. Judging by the number of music outlets, from symphony concerts to online streaming services, music and the people listening to it are everywhere. But what drives the desire to listen not just to music but to music in specific circumstances?

According to a new study by the University of........

© Psychology Today