The community based on the iPersonic personality test.

Music and personality

Music is very emotional - and an interesting topic when it comes to personality. We use to define ourselves through the music that we hear. So how about a correlation between music and personality? Here are some preliminary thoughts. (If you are just visiting the page, don't forget to take our free personality test!)

Pop Music is the music that sells best. We know that Realists represent almost 50% of the population. Doers cover another 23%. We have to assume that those types would prefer what we call mainstream music. Doers might prefer a more energetic version, probably Rock music.

Thinkers is a difficult one. I've learned from our discussions here at iPersonic that Thinkers use music to "disrupt" their thinking. I would suggest that Thinkers either analyze music (if they know about music, play an instrument etc.) or they use music to get away of their thinking. "Analytical music" could be Jazz, Classical music and Electro. Disruptive music could be Metal.

What about the Idealists? We have been talking about a spiritual approach of Idealists in our "Religion and personality types" discussion. All is one. World music could fit in there. Emotional, spheric and "esoteric" music also. And Folk music. Enya and Yann Tiersen ...

But there's more. Do you sometimes "slip into another personality" by listening to specific music? Listening to "energetic music" like "Harder Better Faster Stronger" from Daft Punk seems to take me from analytical thinking to individualistic doing ...

So, what music do you prefer? How does this correspond to your personality type? What role is music playing in your life?

Tags: music, personality test, personality type

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Dian on June 24, 2008 at 5:07pm: I'm into a whole range of music and I don't really have a favourite genre. Though lately I've been preferring slower stuff like ballads... I do like Rock too so it looks like I slip into a different personality in that sense at times. I guess that's something Marcel and I have in common. :D; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by blueeyedf8 on July 2, 2008 at 5:53am: I guess I'm a tried and true DI. I really enjoy world music and especially ehtereal music, like Halou, Cocteau Twins, Lorain Frederic, Somethings soft and soothing. somethings hard and loud, I love playing Beethoven very very loud, My body almosts responds to it by itself. Also like blues, Etta James, Otis Redding, Billy Holiday,tracy chapman.. Haven't figured out how blues got coinicided with my DI traits. Any suggestions?
But what gets people the most excited about a song. Is it the lyrics or the music?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lady Shaman on July 4, 2008 at 11:06pm: Marcel,
I am an SI. Oddly enough, you pretty much nailed me in your theory! Music plays a very important role in my life! Certain things I remember easier by relating it to music and lyrics (sometimes poetry-which I consider pretty much the same). At this point of my life, I prefer the esoteric, emotional, spheric, folk type. There are times, usually at particularly very happy or very sad times, I prefer either mainstream or the rock music of my past. I have NEVER liked metal. It makes me very jumpy and uneasy; and I prefer to live my life as relaxed as possible.

I hope this helps you in some way.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Christina on July 6, 2008 at 12:40pm: I'm a GT and I listen to mostly rock and it's various sub-genres. Although I do enjoy listening to pretty much ever different kind of music out there.
Just the other day I was talking to my friend Brad who said that songs with lyrics distract him from his work and he can't focus whereas I need songs with lyrics while I'm working so I can break out in song every once in a while to refresh my head.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sundeep on July 8, 2008 at 7:16am: I like to listen to country music, it really very soothing...; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Victoria on July 14, 2008 at 1:19pm: I listen to a lot of experimental music, jazz, avant-garde, good ol' classic rock, blues, and some other "international music". A little bit of punk. A little bit of glam rock. Apparently, I am an "analytical thinker", and so if you take the brief definition of those music genres, my personality does suit. I like all abstract and bizarre stuff, but also upbeat, significantly filled with vibrant rhythms and beats. "Glam rock" may be an exception though since most of the music from that era/category I listen to suggest absurd and derogatory lyrics. For instance, W.A.S.P., or Poison.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by io' on August 18, 2008 at 4:51am: i like live and acoustic ones, those without plugs, just played right to my ears. traditional music may catch me, Mr. Heyne, since they have depths, philosophical reasons that make them "sound" that way. more, i love harmony and surprises mixed down into a single expression.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by IRISS MOON on August 20, 2008 at 4:36am: HELLO ..... I AM FOR HERE NOW :); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by arjay tampilic on August 23, 2008 at 4:42am: music is a part of our life; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kaboom! on August 28, 2008 at 1:13am: Generally hard rock...but older stuff.
I'm an opera fan too...I also like classical guitar.
And yes...I use music to disrupt my thinking.
I will also use music to create a mood...sometimes I just don't have one.
I listen to a lot of Latin music.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Amber Evon on August 28, 2008 at 6:02pm: I listen to a lot of of Enya, and songs that remind me of my childhood like Pink Floyd, Tom Petty, Alanis Morisette.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jihea Shin on September 3, 2008 at 7:55pm: I'm a GT and I really like electronic music... I was really curious why and you've pretty much summed it up. but I'm wondering... do thinkers really analyze music all the time? I think I'm just enjoying it not analyzing it.; ▶ Reply to This