Does taste in music define personality?

[Ignatius]

I don't think this has been brought up before...

This could've been posted in the Bad Obssesion section, but since it involves people and music in general, I thought about posting it here.

Let's get a little bit psycological here. I know this topic is very broad and it could lead up to 1,000 sub topics, but do you tend to label people by their taste in music?

We all make generalisations at some point, some more than others. But I do find myself when I'm meeting someone, labeling (or even prejudging) that person when (and if) the music topic pops up. After all the - what do you do for a living, where are you from, blah, blah, blah...issues - I usually bring up the music topic, not only to to find out what he or she likes, but to inmediately label that person into one of many personality profiles we all set. I don't know why, but that response usully triggers an emotion of attraction or rejection to that person based on his or her response. Let me reinforce the fact that this only happens when I just met someone. Most of the times, the impression created, turns out to be accurate in a long term basis. I don't know if that may have to do with the fact that I'm already telling my subconscious to accept such or such person based on their taste in music, hence, it makes it? harder to change a negative first impression, but I seem to pay more attention to the people who do find music relevant on their lives apart from dancing their favorite song played at their favorite club.

How about you? does taste in music get involved when creating a first impression? Do you label people as well based on their taste? Any other thoughts?

[Jessica]

Profilers say extremely dangerous criminal, the one who have no empathy, no regrets, have all something in common : they HATE music or sounds in general.

I guess music does show someone's type of personality. Even if someone likes many types of music, their interests being broader we can safely say they generally have a wide expanded personality, not centered on just the 1 thing.

Now, it can't be the only value taken into account, because some people go towards musical families for reasons other than for music ( loneliness, wanting to be " cool" because music in in fashion, .......)

Jesus, i am tired to think in english, hope it makes sense...

[psycotron]

people who like pop music i steriotype them as people who have no individuality they like whatever the radio tells them to like and what their freinds like and they want to be accepted by society. people who like rap i think are pretty much the same as pop lovers except the radio part doesnt aply with them. alternative rock may be for the depressed people maybe.  punk (im not talking about bands like simple plan and nofx. i think that is in the pop category) is probably for rebel  type teens who want to be themselves. metal may also mean the person is a rebel or someone who just loves sex, drugs n rok n roll or if he likes thrash and speed metal he might just hate the world. i like lots of different types of music mainly hair metal, punk, speed and thrash metal. i dont think music taste really says that much about a person. i like when someone likes the music i like it makes the conversations so much easier. i hate it when people say rock n roll is the devils music those people are stupid. i love god.

[psycotron]

i think u either like the way a certain music genre sounds or u dont evry1s different. i find thrash metal riffs enjoyable and soothing but someone else might hate the way it sounds. who knows maybe britanny spears is listening to slayer right now 

[MCT]

When first meeting a person I partly label them based on their musical tastes, yes. But at the same time I think it's much more accurate to infer that one's personality defines, or rather, directs their taste in music as opposed to one's taste in said music defining their personality.

[gandra]

my answer is NO.taste in music maybe define style of slothing,or hair,but personality for me apsolutely not.i know many rnr fans,but these people are very different in personality,in his energy,in his style...

[loretian]

I've met all sorts of people with all sorts of tastes in music, with all sorts of personalities, so I'd have to say no.  I know total drug out losers that love classical, and totally respectable types that only love thrash/wtf genre.

Generally speaking, though, if I meet someone that says "I only like hard rock", or limits themselves to one genre in music, I don't expect much from that person - no offense to anyone that feels that way, but I just think it's absurd and practically self-abuse to limit yourself to one type of music.

[nesquick]

life without music is not? a life! Music is vital, It's more important than sex for me. I'm totally addicted to music, maybe too much.
I love almost everything exept silly music (heavy-metal/trash/gothic etc... ).
and I love house music
I love musical comedy also like "west side story", it's wonderfull.

[plasmabeam]

i think it partly does, but you can't tell until you know the person

[Axls Locomotive]

Generally speaking, though, if I meet someone that says "I only like hard rock", or limits themselves to one genre in music, I don't expect much from that person - no offense to anyone that feels that way, but I just think it's absurd and practically self-abuse to limit yourself to one type of music.

excellent reply!...my thoughts exactly....every piece of music is unique and should be listened to as something unique and not as part of a genre...if only the majority of the artists out there thought the same!

genetics and childhood probably define personality far more than anything else...

what about people who are deaf? do they have no personality?

your question is a non sequitur...does taste in video define personality? does taste in cars? you can say the same question for virtually anything...which leads to the answer of your question....absolutely no chance

[Sakib]

yes becuz lirix can chaynj ppls personality. e.g. me, b4, i used 2 care wot ppl think. now i dont giv a shit cuz gn'r neva did. btw, gn'r hav influenced me over the past yr a helluva lot

[Dave_Rose]

I would say yes for me any way I am student at college and you always see different style by what people listen to I like wearing my jeans, leathers, dark t-shirt long hair and big sunglasses cos of GNR and I like the style!

[Walk]

Fans of classical and black metal tend to be intelligent in the logical, left brain sense. Fans of jazz tend to be either intelligent in the left brain art sense or schizophrenic. Pop music fans basically listen to music that isn't for people who truly appreciate music, so it's silly making judgements about their personalities based on it. Some people just don't like music.

[Sakib]

I would say yes for me any way I am student at college and you always see different style by what people listen to I like wearing my jeans, leathers, dark t-shirt long hair and big sunglasses cos of GNR and I like the style!

i luv it! parent wont let me hav long hair 

[Axls Locomotive]

Fans of classical and black metal tend to be intelligent in the logical, left brain sense. Fans of jazz tend to be either intelligent in the left brain art sense or schizophrenic. Pop music fans basically listen to music that isn't for people who truly appreciate music, so it's silly making judgements about their personalities based on it. Some people just don't like music.

ive never seen so many cliched views in 1 paragraph 

[Ignatius]

Fans of classical and black metal tend to be intelligent in the logical, left brain sense. Fans of jazz tend to be either intelligent in the left brain art sense or schizophrenic. Pop music fans basically listen to music that isn't for people who truly appreciate music, so it's silly making judgements about their personalities based on it. Some people just don't like music.

ive never seen so many cliched views in 1 paragraph?

For the record, the topic of this thread was meant to be the other way around...does personality define taste in music? ...but it came out as did, thought of leaving it. Besides, as I was typing, the issue evolved into something different...more on the lines of prejugding people based on the music interest when you just met them.

Like I said, we all make generalisatons, some may have to do with music, some may have to do with the clothes you wear and some may have to do smart-ass replies on a message board...

[Doc Emmett Brown]

Besides, as I was typing, the issue evolved into something different...more on the lines of prejugding people based on the music interest when you just met them.

I only do that (prejudge people based on their music interest) if they make it a point to shove their indie-music attitude in my face.  You know the kind of people I'm talking about - they think they're the coolest shit and their music is just too good for you.  I'll pre-judge them to be snotty, and I'm usually right 

If someone says they're into country music, I might guess that they were also Republican/conservative, but I've been wrong.  Lots of different people like to listen to Loretta Lynn, Dixie Chicks, etc, so I've learned not to make that assumption.

Actually, the best evidence that taste in music does not define personality is this board.  This is definitely not a homogenous group of members even if we're all here for GNR past & present.

[Narcissa]

Yes. I don't think I'd waste another second of conversation on a Slipknot fan for example.

[Gunner80]

Yes. I don't think I'd waste another second of conversation on a Slipknot fan for example.

I'm a Slipknot fan and consider myself very open minded to most types of music.

[Mr. Dick Purple]

I wouldn't say that music define the personality, for instance I like rock and the way I dress Is very casual, I don't like black t-shirts and I hate long hair cause looks bad on me  , so Im kinda "fashion" in a way I mean I dress up with everything I look good, the way I think about the world Is nothing to do about music sometimes is ovbius to have influence on that but not all times, so my answer is no, I think thats lack of personality.