GENDER AND PERSONALITY AS PREDICTORS OF MUSIC PREFERENCE AMONG UNDERGRADUATES

IMPLICATIONS FOR MUSIC THERAPY

Abstract

Every society today is awash with different types of music and music has attained a prominent place in recreation, leisure, and religion activities. It has also become a form of treatment for stress and emotional issues. This study, therefore, investigated the role of gender and personality in predicting music preference among University Undergraduates. A total of 306 Undergraduate (154 males and 152 females) students participated in this study. The research made use of survey research design and systematic sampling. The Big Five Personality Inventory (BFI) and the Short Test of Music Preferences (S.T.O.M.P) scales were used to elicit responses from the students. Analysis of data was done using the T-test, Pearson correlation coefficient, and Hierarchical Multiple regression. Extraversion had significant positive correlation with Reflective (r=.272; p>0.01), Aggressive (r=.170; p>0.01), Energetic (r=.189; p>0.01), Conventional (r=.129; p<0.05) music dimensions, Agreeableness had significant positive correlation with only Energetic (r=.128; p<0.05) music dimension. Conscientiousness was found to had significant positive correlation with Aggressive (r=.123; p<0.-05), Energetic (r=.151; p>0.01) and the Conventional (r=.148; p>0.01) music dimensions. Neuroticism had significant positive correlation with Reflective (r=.123; p>0.01) and Energetic (r=.151; p<0.05) music dimensions only. Finally, Openness had significant positive correlation with Reflective (r=.326; p>0.01), Aggressive (r=.240; p>0.01), Energetic (r=.271; p>0.01) Conventional (r=.247; p>0.01) music dimensions. It’s therefore recommended that the therapist should assess the personality of patients before assigning them to a music therapy