Differences in aggression, attitudes toward women, and distrust as reflected in popular music preferences

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