The purpose of this study was to review the findings of Leblanc (1979) utilizing the most common styles of popular music in today's media. Seven styles of popular music, traditional jazz, and Romantic classical music were ranked in order of preference; subject responses were compared by age, gender, environment of upbringing, and amount and type of music training. The sample consisted of 332 fifth graders and college non-music majors. Subjects completed a Personal Information Form, listened to a recording of 19 musical examples representing the styles being studied, and recorded their preference for each on the Music Preference Inventory.Results indicated an overall decline in preference in comparison to Leblanc (1979). Preference responses indicated that fifth graders and college non-music majors ranked the music styles differently, although both age groups ranked pop rock music among the most preferred styles and country, traditional jazz, and Romantic classical music as the least preferred styles. Females recorded significantly higher overall music preferences than males and differed in their preference for individual music styles. Preferences for individual styles also varied depending on the environment in which subjects were raised. Overall music preference was significantly higher among subjects with more music training, and instrumental biases were found based on specific types of music training.The results of this study strongly suggest that popular music styles are the most preferred music styles. Furthermore, variables such as age, gender, and environment of upbringing influence preference for individual music styles in different ways. However, increased music training and specific types of music training positively influence overall music preference and increase preference for non-popular styles. / School of Music

Hansen and Hansen (1991) proposed the relationship between music preference and personality characteristics to be an interactive process of socialization. People are attracted to music that is congruent with their needs, desires, and values. Over time and with repeated exposure, listeners' attitudes and values gradually come to conform to those represented in the music. Given this premise, people who prefer more aggressive types of music would be expected to be more aggressive. If this were found to be true, perhaps exposure to different musical genres would serve to lessen aggressive tendencies. The current study sought to investigate whether people who prefer harder forms of music (e.g., hard rock, heavy metal, rap) tend to be more aggressive than those preferring softer types of music (e.g., country, classical, gospel, jazz). It also examined whether there was a relationship between music preference and social desirability. A sample of 322 undergraduates from a Midwestern university completed the Aggression Questionnaire (AQ), the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale (MC-SDS), and a leisure interests survey developed by the author to assess music preferences. Initially, correlations between the MC-SDS and the four aggression scales of the AQ were calculated. Because all correlations were negative and statistically significant, social desirability was entered as a covariate in the analysis of music preference and aggression. Results from a multivariate analysis of covariance failed to find a significant relationship between music preferences and aggression. Thus, people preferring harder music types do not differ in level of aggression from those preferring softer music types. Sex differences in aggression were supported. Follow-up univariate analyses showed males to be more physically and verbally aggressive as well as more hostile than females. An analysis of Music Preference and Aggression x variance was performed to investigate the relationship between music preference and social desirability, with results suggesting that no such relationship existed. No sex differences in social desirability were found. The current findings contrast with previous research, which has supported a relationship between music preferences and aggression, with heavy metal and rap fans displaying higher aggressive tendencies than those preferring other music types (Rubin, West, & Mitchell, 2001). Limitations of the study, as well as research and counseling implications, are discussed. / Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance Services

This study examines attitudes regarding general violence, violence against women, gender roles, and rape myth and how they relate to music preference. Surveys were completed by 321 students from two large introductory sociology classes at a midsize Midwestern university. Data were analyzed using Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression. The results indicate that those who listen to predominantly rap and r&b music are more accepting of general violence and violence against women. Also, findings support the idea that amount of music videos viewed affects views on gender roles. Results show no support for a relationship between attitudes about rape myth and listening to rap and r&b music. / Department of Sociology