Study Links Strong Emotional Responses to Music with Openness and Compassion
Recent research from the University of Oslo has revealed significant insights into the personality traits associated with individuals who experience strong emotional reactions to music. The study, conducted by Ph.D. candidate Heidi Marie Umbach Hansen, focuses on the relationship between music sensitivity and the Big Five personality traits: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism.
Umbach Hansen's dissertation, set to be defended on August 29, highlights that people who exhibit heightened emotional responses to music tend to score high on traits such as openness and agreeableness. Interestingly, there is also a notable correlation with neuroticism, a trait often linked to emotional sensitivity. According to the researcher, these associations may primarily arise from shared genetic factors.
Previous research has pointed to a moderate heritability of musicality, indicating that both genetic and environmental factors contribute to this trait. However, musicality is a broad concept that encompasses more than just the ability to recognize rhythm or differentiate between sounds. This study delves deeper into the nuances of musical sensitivity, aiming to clarify what musicality truly entails and how it can be understood.
The research utilized data from approximately 2,600 Norwegian twins, revealing that genetic differences account for up to 64% of the variability in musical sensitivity. Nonetheless, environmental influences also play a critical role in shaping this trait.
Twin studies have long been a valuable tool in understanding the interplay between genetics and environment in human behavior. By comparing identical twins, who share all their genetic material, with fraternal twins, who share approximately 50%, researchers can gauge the extent to which genetic factors influence various traits, including personality, emotional well-being, and musicality.
In her analysis, Umbach Hansen found no significant correlation between music sensitivity and the traits of conscientiousness or extraversion. However, individuals with high music sensitivity also tended to demonstrate greater openness--characterized by creativity and curiosity--as well as agreeableness, which includes traits like kindness and helpfulness. The link to neuroticism suggests that individuals who frequently experience anxiety or depression may also be more susceptible to emotional responses to music.
The universal appeal of music is well-documented, with a 2023 global survey indicating that individuals spend an average of 21 hours per week listening to music, with 71% affirming its importance for their mental health. Despite the widespread nature of music, the origins of its emotional impact remain largely a mystery. Some theories propose that music may have emerged as an early form of communication that fostered social connections among people.
Understanding why music evokes such profound emotional responses is a complex challenge. Umbach Hansen posits that uncovering the mechanisms behind these experiences could have practical applications, particularly in the realm of music therapy, which is increasingly integrated into treatment plans in various healthcare settings. Insights from this research could enhance therapeutic approaches, tailoring them more effectively to individual needs based on their musical sensitivity.
Umbach Hansen is associated with the RITMO Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Rhythm, Time and Motion, as well as the research center PROMENTA, both located within the Department of Psychology at the University of Oslo.