A bad taste in music can really ruin a relationship, say researchers.
A new study has revealed that music actually predicts sexual attraction — in fact, music functions as a “badge” that people use to not only judge others, but at the same time, to express their own ideas.
For their study, the researchers examined the link between identity, music and what makes people “click”.
The study, published in the Psychology of Music journal, explored what it’s about why people like, what people like, and perhaps more importantly, how this can make or break a relationship.
During adolescence, music becomes a symbol of one’s identity to help one belongs. This symbol of identity also helps one strike a balance between belonging but also being original, the study found.
The researchers believe that rock is associated with social awareness and rebelliousness while pop is connected to values about gender roles and conformity. They discovered that people who like blues, jazz, classical, and folk are liberal and more open to experiences.
The study also found that a woman’s devotion to country music diminishes her attractiveness to a potential male mate and a man’s interest in country music make him less attractive to women. But devotion to classical music and heavy metal rock has a different effect depending on if one’s a man or a woman.