For today, there are several diverse opinions on the interdependence of musical preferences and intelligence. For some people, heavy rock is a sign of a sullen, not very educated, and aggressive young person, and, for example, it is commonly believed that discreet and refined people listen to classical music.
Regarding R'n'B and pop music, it is preferred by amateurs to have fun and those who do not imagine their life without partying. But is it true? For many years scientists have been studying the influence of music on human intellect. And the results of these studies are just amazing. People who listen to pop music are very hardworking, and the chosen ones have enough high IQ level.
So, we decided to find out what prejudices are true regarding rock music and which of them are false basing on the studies of scientists from all over the world.
Music and Prejudices
If we go back in the 80s, then at that time rock music was considered satanic, and its listeners were equated almost to the king of dark forces. Young people dressed in leather jackets, decorated with iron spikes and rivets scared old people around with such look. Since that time, the spirit of rebelliousness and the similar attributes have entrenched a strange stereotype, as if the admirers of rock music are antichrists and are dangerous to society. In their opinion, cultural and religious people should not listen to such music.
The society was gracious to those who preferred dance melodies, yet considered them idlers because they thought that apart from dancing they could not do anything else.
What is more, there was an opinion, that the major (cheerful rhythmic) music raises mood, and sad notes drive in depression. Over time, scientists became interested in this phenomenon.
Scientists Say
Everyone knows that the level of intelligence, which has long been thought up to measure using the IQ (intelligence quotient) coefficient, depends on musical preferences. The scientists selected the subjects, with whom they conducted a series of tests and interviews. The main aim of the research was to determine which styles of music negatively affect a person's mental abilities.
Most likely, British scientists have caballed with the parents of rebellious adolescents, since the list of potentially dangerous for the intellect styles includes the most popular and hotly loved by the youth areas.
By the way, scientists quickly identified a curious trend with the help of tests. The lowest results in the tests for determining IQ were shown by those who are fond of hip-hop and R'n'B for many years. Thus, rappers were called the most "narrow-minded" among all subjects. For the tests, a classic questionnaire was used to determine IQ, and according to the traditional test for the school curriculum, the general educational material was included there. Higher rates were for their peers who prefer classical and symphonic music.
To the greatest chagrin of parents, those children who like heavy music and rock are the owners of the most high-level indicators of the intellectual level. There is a very close relationship between the musical preferences of people and different types of personality, British psychologists say; after they interviewed 36,000 people from around the world. Judging by its results, fans of classical music are bashful and shy, while fans of heavy metal are kind and sincere.
What Is Good About Rock?
Rock enhances intelligence, though, if it sounds quiet. This conclusion was made by physiologists from the Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology of the Russian Academy of Sciences that have studied the influence of music on the work of the brain.
As it was reported from the institute, the study involved a group of volunteers aged 22 to 47 years. Volunteers in the headphones listened to classical music (Mozart, Beethoven, Bach, etc.) and rock music (including the performance of "Rolling Stones"). And in parallel, the subjects looked at the monitor recognizing what the pictures on it are displayed.
It turned out that under the influence of some musical works, the work of the brain of some people improved, and from others – worsened. Even the volume of the sound was important. It turned out that the brain reacts to classical works in the same way as to solving problems or listening to texts. If such music sounds loud (in the range of 40 to 60 decibels), the thought process improves.
Rock also stimulates mental activity and memory when sounds quiet (no more than 30 decibels). If you turn it on loudly, then it increases emotional tension and anxiety, and also suppresses the intellect.
As you can see, an old generation was wrong in their stiffness and prejudices regarding rock music and music preferences in general. So, let us listen what we want and where we want!