Is there a correlation between education/intellect and musical tastes?

[PrinceofWands]

This thread got me thinking, I wonder if education and/or intellect directly affects listening habits.

I noticed that I despise most country, hip-hop, rap and some pop & r&b. In my experience the people that both make and listen to those types of music are younger, have less education (at least less broad/liberal education) or have not yet reached highly developed cognitive functions. I'm not saying everyone, just in general in my own experiences.

That thought led me to realize that a large number of highly educated or very intellectual people listen to classical, opera, jazz, new age and heavy metal.

That leaves the bulk of the population in the middle, and in the middle is where pop, rock etc are located, which are also the most common musical forms in America.

The one type that really doesn't fit as far as I can see is pure blues, since it was generally made by the uneducated, but enjoyed by many.

So, is there an actual correlation between musical taste, education and/or intelligence? If there is, why?

I realize a BIG part of it is age (teens seem to suddenly 'discover' rebellion music (rap, punk, heavy metal) and oldies), but is it a developmental issue tied to age, or just a symptom of lack of education/knowledge/experience?

What about other countries? Why the difference (if there is any)?

 

[TwiceOver]

No. I have met plenty of smart people that like rap.

 

[tami]

Originally posted by: PrinceofWandsces.
That thought led me to realize that a large number of highly educated or very intellectual people listen to classical, opera, jazz, new age and heavy metal.

i don't think heavy metal belongs in that list. i read a study that said that heavy metal is not a good genre to develop an individual's intellect.

 

[freebee]

nvm.

 

[Sentinel]

I think metal should be there. I would like to read that study though. I listen to jazz, classical, tech, metal.

 

[boredhokie]

I prefer Cannibal Corpse for my morning constitution. It's subtle melodies and demure arrangements compliment, but not oversaturate, the poignant lyrical gestures of CorpseGrinder, the lead singer.

 

[Otaking]

No.

I like classical music, and i am dumb. My wife even says so.

 

[PrinceofWands]

Originally posted by: TwiceOver
No. I have met plenty of smart people that like rap.

I knew that would be commented on, so here's a clarification.

A lot of people 'think' other people are 'smart'. When I say 'smart' I mean truly exceptional intellect or cognitive functions. Like over 140IQ's. Actually over that, and not supposed to be that from some ridiculous internet test. If the people we're talking about are actually IN the Triple Nines or Prometheus, or if they're acknowledged nationally or globally for exceptional thinking (not accomplishments, as the two are unrelated), THEN they qualify by my definitions. And before anyone argues that they know plenty of people like that, remember we are talking about finite numbers here. There are only 200,000 on the planet who qualify at these levels and since only a small portion of the population is ever tested MOST of those able to participate never will. There are only 6000 on the planet at or above 168IQ. We're talking about a very VERY small number of people.

By educated I don't mean a BA in basketweaving, nor even an MBA. I'm talking about TRUE broad education. Either multiple degrees or broad study within their college careers. This usually (but not always) rules out ANYONE who went to college purely to get a degree specifically to get the job they wanted. Career degrees are almost never liberally educating. People who go to college for 2 years having no idea what they want to do, change majors, get more than one degree, get degrees purely for education, get doctorates, or get masters degrees other than business industry related would all qualify. Even many business degree holders would qualify as long as they're not typical American corporate capitalists there ONLY for job mobility.

 

[judasmachine]

I listen to everything but mostly hardcore political punk. I have a huge soft spot for Chopin, Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, and Beetoven though, so where does that leave me?

 

[TwiceOver]

Originally posted by: PrinceofWands

Originally posted by: TwiceOver
No. I have met plenty of smart people that like rap.

I knew that would be commented on, so here's a clarification.

Blah Blah Blah....

I was just stating that there are both smart people and stupid people that listen to rap. So... No, there is no coorelation.

I also believe it is more about the groups you hang out with or your "click" so to speak. My parents love 'A Perfect Circle' but they don't listen to it around their friends.

 

[PrinceofWands]

Originally posted by: tami

Originally posted by: PrinceofWandsces.
That thought led me to realize that a large number of highly educated or very intellectual people listen to classical, opera, jazz, new age and heavy metal.

i don't think heavy metal belongs in that list. i read a study that said that heavy metal is not a good genre to develop an individual's intellect.

And yet a LARGE number of VERY smart people listen to heavy metal, and a large number of the musicians are INCREDIBLY bright. I realize during formation this music isn't considered developmentally beneficial, but in later years it's often turned to. There must be a reason.

Maybe it's latent anger over feelings of isolation which often accompany exceptional intellect. That would make sense and fit with age related music preference (ie teens are emotional and angry and therefore often turn to heavy metal). It would also fit that if you live largely in a mental environment heavy metal might provide the physical/emotional outlet you are lacking.

Just a few ideas.

 

[PrinceofWands]

Originally posted by: TwiceOver

Originally posted by: PrinceofWands

Originally posted by: TwiceOver
No. I have met plenty of smart people that like rap.

I knew that would be commented on, so here's a clarification.

Blah Blah Blah....

I was just stating that there are both smart people and stupid people that listen to rap. So... No, there is no coorelation.

I also believe it is more about the groups you hang out with or your "click" so to speak. My parents love 'A Perfect Circle' but they don't listen to it around their friends.

Ok, but unless you know an enormous percentage of the exceptionally intelligent population, it wouldn't affect correlation. If we're looking at 200,000 people, then 10 won't affect correlates. Correlations are general tendencies, not absolutes.

It may very well be social, but what about people with no clique...those that defy social integration. Where do their choices come from? Also is it purely social, or social because age and intellect are frequently social? I'm curious about the roots, not the leaves.

 

[alent1234]

my wife is white, over 30, has a masters degree from one of the best schools in her field and listens to rap

explain this one

 

[brigden]

I think musical taste has more to do with social position. Popular kids are more likely to listen to mainstream commercial music regardless of intelligence. Bright kids, typically socially outcast and less narrow-minded, are more likely to be exposed to a wider array of musical styles and far less likely to dismiss a genre like classical or jazz.

 

[PrinceofWands]

Originally posted by: alent1234
my wife is white, over 30, has a masters degree from one of the best schools in her field and listens to rap

explain this one

I didn't say it never happens, only that in my experience it's limited.

Your statement allows further exploration though...why? Why does she listen to rap when it's not generally a part of her education schema? Grow up inner city, have kids into it, mostly rap listening friends, did a research paper on it, etc? I know very few people that listen to something for absolutely no reason.

 

[cjgallen]

No correlation IME.

 

[aplefka]

I listen to everything from Radiohead to Metallica to Vanilla Ice to Ray Charles to whatever.

I think intellect has something to do with it because not many kids my age know who Radiohead is, and when I make them listen they hate it.

Edit: I should add that when I play Radiohead for my older friends, they've either already heard of it or love the band. We're talking the 21+ range. It's my younger friends that don't like it. They're morons though.

 

[UglyCasanova]

A large number of geeks listen to metal, and yes a lot of geeks are smart (and hell a lot of them are dumb. I'm not sure being a geek means you are smart) but they do not make up the whole of smart people.


I absolutely, positively hate metal though. Although I don't think the people who listen to it are less intelligent, I do think they have poor taste in music.

 

[Landroval]

Originally posted by: PrinceofWands

Originally posted by: TwiceOver
No. I have met plenty of smart people that like rap.

I knew that would be commented on, so here's a clarification.

A lot of people 'think' other people are 'smart'. When I say 'smart' I mean truly exceptional intellect or cognitive functions. Like over 140IQ's. Actually over that, and not supposed to be that from some ridiculous internet test. If the people we're talking about are actually IN the Triple Nines or Prometheus, or if they're acknowledged nationally or globally for exceptional thinking (not accomplishments, as the two are unrelated), THEN they qualify by my definitions. And before anyone argues that they know plenty of people like that, remember we are talking about finite numbers here. There are only 200,000 on the planet who qualify at these levels and since only a small portion of the population is ever tested MOST of those able to participate never will. There are only 6000 on the planet at or above 168IQ. We're talking about a very VERY small number of people.

By educated I don't mean a BA in basketweaving, nor even an MBA. I'm talking about TRUE broad education. Either multiple degrees or broad study within their college careers. This usually (but not always) rules out ANYONE who went to college purely to get a degree specifically to get the job they wanted. Career degrees are almost never liberally educating. People who go to college for 2 years having no idea what they want to do, change majors, get more than one degree, get degrees purely for education, get doctorates, or get masters degrees other than business industry related would all qualify. Even many business degree holders would qualify as long as they're not typical American corporate capitalists there ONLY for job mobility.

Well-stated!

 

[monk3y]

I listen to metal and I definately don't fall into the intelligent community.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: brigden
I think musical taste has more to do with social position. Popular kids are more likely to listen to mainstream commercial music regardless of intelligence. Bright kids, typically socially outcast and less narrow-minded, are more likely to be exposed to a wider array of musical styles and far less likely to dismiss a genre like classical or jazz.

I completely agree with this. It fits for myself, anyway.

 

[TwiceOver]

Originally posted by: InstincT
I listen to metal and I definately don't fall into the intelligent community.

:thumbsup:

 

[eigen]

Originally posted by: UglyCasanova
A large number of geeks listen to metal, and yes geeks are smart but they do not make up the whole of smart people.

Thats me.I am semi-smart.Around 140 IQ I am a bright guy but not ever going to win a noble prize.Studying math in school right.I have listneded to punk and metal for around half my life now.I started because it seemed to be the only form of music asking the deep questions about life.

 

[nageov3t]

Originally posted by: UglyCasanova
A large number of geeks listen to metal, and yes, geeks think they are smart but they do not make up the whole of smart people.

fixed

 

[UglyCasanova]

Originally posted by: loki8481

Originally posted by: UglyCasanova
A large number of geeks listen to metal, and yes, geeks think they are smart but they do not make up the whole of smart people.

fixed

Yup, I had to go back and edit mine.