Differences in Aggression,Attitudes Toward Women,and Distrust as Reflected in Popular Music Preferences

This article examines the complex relationship between dispositions, popular music preferences, and attitudes. In accordance with selective-exposure and excitation-transfer theories, it was expected that anger and self-esteem dispositions would influence popular-music preferences and attitudinal differences. Using a sample of 243 persons, we examined hypotheses and research questions seeking to link music preferences with three attitudes: aggression, attitudes toward women, and trust/distrust. Anger and self-esteem were treated as covariates. Multivariate analysis of covariance showed significant attitudinal differences among those who preferred different music genres. As compared with most other genres, heavy-metal music listeners exhibited more aggression and lesser regard for women, and rap listeners showed more aggression and distrust. Implications of these findings were discussed.