Repository logo
 

Personality predicts musical sophistication


Change log

Authors

Greenberg, DM 
Müllensiefen, D 
Lamb, ME 
Rentfrow, PJ 

Abstract

There is little research on the role of personality in musical expertise. We address this gap in the literature by using data from a large national study (N = 7,870) to examine how scores on 10 facets of the Big Five dimensions of personality predicted self-reported musical sophistication and performance on two behavioral tests (melodic memory and rhythm perception). Personality predicted musical sophistication even after controlling for demographic variables and musicianship, with Openness to Aesthetics the best trait predictor. Substance use also predicted musical sophistication for various subscales and the behavioral tests. These findings replicated in both musician and non-musician subgroups.

Description

Keywords

Music, Sophistication, Personality, Perception, Substance use, Big five, Expertise

Journal Title

Journal of Research in Personality

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0092-6566
1095-7251

Volume Title

58

Publisher

Elsevier BV
Sponsorship
The authors thank Robert R. McCrae for his helpful comments on an earlier draft. Data collection was made possible by the LabUK research unit of the British Broadcasting Corporation.