Music preference correlates of Jungian types

Abstract The purpose of the current study was to explore the relationship between personality and music preferences, using the Myers Briggs Type Indicator. It was hypothesized that the sensing–intuition dimension would correlate with overall musical enjoyment. Thus, as compared with those participants who scored toward the sensing end, we expected high scorers (intuition end) to endorse more musical styles, particularly classical music, as well as to have greater musical training and involvement. This hypothesis was tested and confirmed with a sample of 104 undergraduates. Moreover, extraversion also correlated with overall musical interest, particularly for popular/rock music. Finally, thinking–feeling correlated with liking for country and western music. Whereas past research has conceptualized music preferences in terms of approach to or avoidance of stimulation, these findings support the notion of cultural involvement as a personality dimension.

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