Motivations and effects in relation to music preferences among Maltese youth

Abstract

The onset of music preferences among young people is a complicated phenomenon and is of significant academic interest, given the centrality of music in young people's lives. This study focuses on Maltese young people aged 18 to 25 and explores the occurrence of music preferences by looking at different aspects which bring music preferences into effect, such as emotions, society and personality. In the first chapter extensive reference to the effect of music on Maltese youth throughout the years has been made. This is followed by an overview of different theories on motivations and effects in relation to music preferences. For this study a quantitative approach was adopted. A group questionnaire, replicating in part a previous study on factors related to music preferences by Rentfrow and Gosling (2003) was used. A combination of non-probability and probability sampling were used, yielding sixty participants (n=60). Findings indicated that young people with identical or similar music preferences have similar personality traits. Music has been found to arouse various emotions in young people and peer pressure has not been identified by respondents as influencing music preferences. On the other hand, style and rhythm are reported as being important aspects in this regard. Friendship choices were not reported to be influenced by music preferences. In conclusion the study provides suggestions for future research on musical preferences.