Abstract
Research has recently turned its focus on the relationships between music and personality.
This study aims to replicate and further this by investigating the effect of music preference on
three psychological variables; personality traits, coping skills and perceived scholastic
competence. A convenience sample of 108 students in Ireland participated by responding to
four quantitative surveys: Short Test of Musical Preference revised (STOMP-R), Big Five
Inventory (BFI), Brief COPE and Harter’s Scholastic Competences subscale. Results yielded
no positive significant correlations between music preferences and either personality traits,
coping skills or perception of academic ability. However results did show that music training
increases preference for complex music. Author keywords: Music preferences, coping, big five inventory, scholastic competence
