Document Type

Thesis

Date of Degree Completion

Winter 2024

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Psychology

Committee Chair

Dr. Ralf Greenwald

Second Committee Member

Dr. Mary Radeke

Third Committee Member

Dr. Mark Samples

Abstract

Empirical research in fields such as music perception, cognition, and therapy has developed considerably in recent decades. While many studies implement musical stimuli, there are few expeditious metrics for identifying the objective characteristics of music itself. The current study proposed and developed a tool for measuring perception of the theoretical concept of music density. Music density can be defined as the compactness of auditory information that comprises a piece of music. For this study, five musical factors were explored (tempo, texture, timbre, dynamics, and predictability) via a 5-point Likert scale. It is well established that personality is an important correlate to music cognition and general music preference; therefore, it was theorized that individuals who scored high in extraversion and those who scored high in openness preferred high-density music. All participants were administered the following scales: Music Density Inventory, STOMPR, and the Big-Five personality index. Results showed little to no correlation between personality traits and music density preference, contrary to correlative research studying relationships between personality traits and music preference.

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