Music for the mind : a study into musical preferences, personality traits and memory retention

Abstract

Previous research has demonstrated a link between musical preferences, memory and personality, but has yet to explore them in combination. This thesis reports on two experiments: a pilot study (N=42), which examined the initial premises put forward by the thesis, and a second study (N=100). Statistically insignificant trends were found in the pilot study. No significant results were found when musical preferences were compared to the previous literatures predictions, resulting in a follow up analysis. Previous findings in the literature between personality traits and musical preferences were not replicated. In Study 2, no significant results were found for the first two hypotheses. Multiple correlations were found between the facet levels of the Big Five Aspect Scale and the genres of the Short Test of Musical Preferences. Significant results were found in both studies that warrant further examination, with some future directions discussed in the conclusion of this thesis.

Date of Award	2018
Original language	English