A recent study due to be published in March’s edition of the Personality and Individual Differences journal has surmised that our taste in music has the ability to affect how we work.
The researchers who kicked off the study began with the premise that music affects our mood, but, as the study progressed, they began to find out more about how music impacts on our performance, how we interact with colleagues, and that it even has the ability to influence our thoughts on the topic of resigning.
A recent study into music taste and how it affects work has surmised that, amongst other things, fans of David Guetta’s brand of dance music are more likely to not follow orders and resign.
More than 400 people were surveyed for their preferred musical style. The researchers listed 14 styles to choose from, grouped into four main categories: “reflective and complex”, which included the jazz of Nina Simone; “intense and rebellious” rock songs from the likes of Bon Jovi; “energetic and rhythmic” tracks, including the party hits of David Guetta; and “upbeat and conventional” soaring anthems from people like Beyoncé.
The results of the survey surmised that of the four broader musical genres, it was the “reflective and complex” category that seemed to have the biggest influence on innovative and creative work. Subgenres that fell into the category included not only jazz but blues (such as the likes of B.B. King), classical (including Bach and Berlioz) and folk (Joni Mitchell, amongst many others).
Researchers then went on to conduct a second study, this time surveying more than 1,000 employees but with an expanded questionnaire that included a range of other work-related outcomes. These included but weren’t limited to “counter-productive work behaviour” – refusing to follow orders – to which fans of “energetic and rhythmic” music were the most closely aligned, a category that also encompassed R&B, rap, electronica, soul and dance.
A strong desire to resign was also seen more often in lovers of the genre. Perhaps they’re too distracted by images of David Guetta and his minions on jetskis, DJing in Ibiza.
Fans of “reflective and complex” music came out on top in the long run. They were found to be more likely to go beyond their call of duty to help their colleagues and employers and were also more likely to praise their coworkers when they deserved recognition.
Via The Sydney Morning Herald.
