The Influence of Personality on the Choice and Use of Music among Students in Malaysia

Abstract

Unbeknownst to many, music plays a significant role in people's daily lives, especially among students. With the increasing production of music containing worrisome elements (such as alcohol and drugs), many are worried that it will somehow affect the students' cognition, emotions, and behaviours. Furthermore, there is a widespread misconception that listening to music will automatically prompt an individual to think and feel in ways appropriate to the message of the music. A great example is a situation where an individual who listens to a song that contains elements of violence also practices violence in real life. Therefore, this study aims to identify the influence of personality on music preference and the uses of music among university students. This study was conducted quantitatively among university students in Malaysia. The questionnaire set included the demography section, BFI-10, Uses of Music, and STOMP inventories. In addition, the respondents were chosen using the snowballing method to adapt to the current situation. The data obtained were analyzed through correlation and multiple regression tests. Results showed that Openness to experience was the best predictor for preference for music. Individuals with neuroticism traits tend to listen to reflective and complex music and often use music for emotional reasons. The study failed to find a significant relationship between extraversion and the social uses of music. In conclusion, this study signified that individuals do not passively listen to any music given and would use it for various purposes according to their personalities. Lastly, these insights will benefit our current understanding of music and clarify the importance of music in our daily lives.