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 PoLa on June 8, 2008 at 3:28am: I´m a sensitive doer, I´m not really sure what it implies, but I function with music. Whatever I listen to sets a pace when I walk or work, and I play with the songs as well -like it´s alive, but it also inspires me in the professional field.

I tend to be more atracted to "meant to be" mainstream music but I like about any kinds from around the globe, so to me it´s a bit of both. Though I´ve only been able ´not to think´ during a few minutes in 2 or 3 concerts I´ve gone to in the past 7 years.

I also like to analyse the compositions. First I go with how I feel about them and then I try to think (as far as my technical knowledge goes) about the recording and performance of the musicians.

confusing?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Felicitas Heyne on June 9, 2008 at 11:40am: Not at all for me, PoLa - very straight. I like your expression "function with music"! That's exactly what I would have expected from a Doer or a Realist. Same applies to me (SR), I even can "modulate" my speed of working or walking by choosing different music. And your last sentence almost seems taken from your SD profile: the interest in producing and performing is essential for all Doers. Thanks for sharing, very interesting to me!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Cody on June 10, 2008 at 4:18am: Im a Dreamy Idealist, and i think the music description for me is correct. I love to listen to world music (as you can tell by my playlist) and actually right now Im listening to Qui Je Suis, by Kyo (a french band).
I also like emotional music and high energy/techno/electronica. funny enough though, I cant stand folk music or Indie.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jason on June 11, 2008 at 8:47am: I'm a Dreamy Idealist...I do just about everything to music from read, write and eat to game. The only time I'm not listening to music is when I'm sleeping. I prefer Acid Jazz, House, Trance, Jungle, Breakbeats, Motown-era R&B and old school hip hop in that order. I don't listen to much else, truth be told.

Vocal quality is very important to me. As is the message conveyed in the song. I prefer the sound of the female voice to the male one and they'd better be good. It grates on my senses when I am forced to hear a bad singer (in my estimation) and generally can ruin my day.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by silver on June 11, 2008 at 12:30pm: Hi! I like your topic here. I do believe too that music makes up some parts of a person's personality. I think all of the things that we like make up our personality. That is why everybody is weird. :); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Monica on June 11, 2008 at 9:48pm: Could be. I, as thinker ...it seems, i use the music to remain connected with past experience, and people that now are out of my life. Also it helps me understand others and to get close to them.
For example, now I'm a lot in salsa, raggaeton originary from Cuba ... because it has something to do with my life experience from the last 6 months. Before this I never listened to raggaeton.
Also, knowing me, it will last until something new and interesting will come in to my life and I will shift my attention.
so maybe I will listen to jazz soon, or metal; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Vita on June 11, 2008 at 11:14pm: i like averykind of music actually..depend on the situation..i play guitar and piano too,,and i think music can change my life,,my mood,,my feel,,and many more..
do you know,,music can 'make' our personality??
and there are 'energy' there..
there are some research,,some of classic song,,Canon in D is played beside the pure water,,and the particel in water (definitely micro,,and just looked by microscope) are change like crystal..so,,can you imagine if the music played beside us (the fact,,our body mostly are water).
for me,,music is amazing..; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ariella on June 12, 2008 at 1:19pm: I'm a Dreamy Idealist. To me music = life.

I once had to answer this question: "Would you rather live w/o music or laughter." I didn't have to think twice- I chose music. Music brings out every emotion (including laughter) so that way, I get to live with both :-)

I love musicovery too, BTW! My friend sent me a link and it was promptly bookmarked. I listen to all kinds of music. The only thing someone can pin me down on is my deep respect for Pet Shop Boys' music. I'm a Pet Girl through and through.

Music is playing in my ears 24/6 LOL! I tend to get lost in the music. My husband (and others) joke that the more obscure an artist is the more I will listen to it. The lyrics are just as important as the music. The song has to take me on a journey.

Some of my top genres:
80s Pop/Electro/Indie/Grunge/Punk/Old-school hip-hop/Disco/Heavy metal/rock/Dance/World

Some artists I like: Eurythmics; ABC; Siouxsie Sioux and the Banshees; The Smiths; Blake Babies; Judybats; NIN; The Dead Milkmen; KMFDM; Pet Shop Boys; Erasure; Architecture in Helsinki; Niagra; Chromeo; Boyz Noize; Rude Luck; Daft Punk; Camera Obscura; ELO; Genesis; Peter Gabriel; Depeche Mode; Electronic (band); Michael Jackson; Information Society; Human League; Joe Jackson; Billy Idol; Les Rita Mitsouko; Kylie Minogue; Level 42; M.I.A.; The Mighty Lemon Drops; New Order; L'Affaire Louis Trio; Pixies; Tegan and Sara; Stevie Wonder; Tears For Fears; Yelle; Pink Floyd; Fiest; Yes; They Might Be Giants; Frankie Goes To Hollywood; Sloan; Janet Jackson; Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

I used to make mix tapes in high school. What's scary is how people treasure them. I ran into a classmate two months ago. She said that she listens to my mix tape on her commute every day. I made this tape 16 years ago. Yikes!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jason on June 13, 2008 at 8:33pm: Nice collection there, Ariella. I recommend them because I am a HUGE fan of their music, but have you ever listened to the Brand New Heavies? I also suggest 4Hero and Mother Earth. Based on what you've listed, I think you'd readlly dig 4Hero's Play With The Changes. Especially the opening track, Morning Child.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ariella on June 14, 2008 at 2:10am: Thanks for the suggestions. I'll check them out tomorrow night. I have heard of the Brand New Heavies. I probably heard one of their songs and didn't realize it was them, LOL!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by LeAnn on June 13, 2008 at 8:45pm: I am actually a very big fan of Yann Tiersen so I wonder if you're onto something about idealists there... :P I really like soft music with female vocals, like Kelly Sweet. I also find music featuring pianos or violins very calming, uplifting, and hypnotizing. I do listen to rock music but only if it has a good melody, like Kings of Leon. Oh, speaking of kings, I really like Kings of Convenience too. :D I never really gave my taste in music much thought... I guess I like music that makes me feel relaxed or puts me into a different world, like being inside of a movie.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Marcel Heyne on June 13, 2008 at 9:38pm: Hey, I am a big fan of Yann Tiersen, too! Being an AT with a DI tendency I love the movie Amélie from Montmartre (Le fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain). Listening to Yann Tiersen always brings that images back.; ▶ Reply to This