The role of personality and gender in preference for exaggerated bass in music

The purpose of this study was to determine whether preferences for enhanced and exaggerated bass in popular and more traditional forms of music are related to personality and gender differences. To test hypothesized relationships 21 pairs of musical selections were presented to undergraduate volunteers. Selections were randomly played in either normal or in enhanced bass modes. Personality was measured with the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, Revised, with Ss included in analysis if they scored in the highest or lowest quartile of the three superfactors measured by this instrument. Results showed that Psychoticism, gender, and Extraversion are all positively related to preference for enhanced bass. The results of gender are maintained even if the tendency for elevated Pscores in males are statistically controlled. Potential biobehavioural explanations for these findings are discussed as well as directions for future research.