They found that many heavy metal aficionados shared a particular pattern of personality traits. Enjoying heavy metal was also correlated with openness, possibly because people with more open personalities would be drawn to music that is “intense, engaging, and challenging,” as metal can be, the researchers write.
Listening to metal is an act of solidarity and helps boost self-esteem in a form of catharsis. While this research may not be representative of the whole metal community, it is an important step towards understanding the psychological appeal of metal and avoid stereotyping its listeners as angry or violent people.
The researchers found that, rather than amplifying the negative emotions of anger or stress, those who listened to 10 minutes of head-banging tunes actually felt the better for it. The music helped them explore the full gamut of emotion they felt, but also left them feeling more active and inspired.
A recent study has shown that listening to heavy metal actually reduces an individuals sensitivity to violence. The study also showed that long-term fans were generally happier in their youth and were better adjusted in middle age than non-metalheads.
Studies have suggested a link between listening to heavy metal and increased suicide risk or desensitisation to violence, but these have often failed to take account of outside factors, such as poor family relationships, drug abuse and feelings of alienation.
One interesting study has shown that listening to music you like, like Heavy Metal, can have incredible benefits for your cognitive abilities and memory. It found that by listening to music they didnt like, participants showed a marked reduction in their ability to rotate objects in their minds (spatial rotation).
A recent study has shown that listening to heavy metal actually reduces an individuals sensitivity to violence. The study also showed that long-term fans were generally happier in their youth and were better adjusted in middle age than non-metalheads.
Do musicians have a high IQ?
Do Musicians Have Higher IQs Than Non-Musicians? Yes, Says Study | Science 2.0. A new study has concluded that musicians have IQ scores than non-musicians, supporting other recent research that intensive musical training is associated with an elevated IQ score.