The relation of personality traits and taste in the preference of musical genre

In this study, the factors that affect rock, classical and Turkish music (folk music and traditional art music) listeners have been observed within the framework of variables such as personality, sex, age, family, friend environment, and musical stimuli. The answers sought to questions as follows: Is there any relationship between musical choice and personality? Is there any relationship between musical properties of a particular genre and musical taste, and personality? Which social and cultural variables are active on individual appreciation and choices of rock, classical and Turkish music listeners? The study is based on the hypothesis that preference for particular musical genres is relative to personality, for social and cultural environment affects personality development as well.As a result of the study, there are findings which call a close relation between Turkish and western classical music listeners in terms of their own personality traits, whereas rock listeners? personality traits exhibit some facts in a dissimilar way in both essential and sub-dimensions. Verifiable results confirm that there are some relations along with musical preference and personality traits thorough the conformation of the hypothesis of genres of musical taste.For collecting data, we use Five-Factor Model of Personality Inventory (Somer, Korkmaz, Tatar; 2004), that was developed and validated by lecturers of Ege University Literature Faculty, Psychology Department and the Musical Taste Survey that we?ve brought out here benefits of the past researches. Even though T-test and percentage and frequency analysis are used as statistical techniques, evaluation of the data derived still continues. The sample survey includes 180 people between 17 and 30 ages who are music students of Dokuz Eylül University, Faculty of Fine Arts (people who have received music education and those who have not), Faculty of Music Education, State Conservatory and Turkish Music Conservatory of Aegean University of Izmir.