You are what you listen to

We've all heard the saying, "you are what you eat." What's more telling, though, might be what you listen to.

A new study at Heriot-Watt University in Scotland found strong correlation between peoples' personalities and their choice of music. The study, which included 36,000 people from six different countries found that people had more in common with fans of their favorite music in other countries than they had with fellow citizens who preferred different styles of music, according to a CBC News report.

Here's what CBC News reported about the results of the study:

"Jazz fans tend to be creative and outgoing, with high self-esteem, in keeping with the innovative and sociable nature of the music.

Country western fans were found to be hard-working, but introverted, fitting with the blue-collar image of country music.

The research concluded soul music lovers are a well-rounded bunch — creative, outgoing, gentle, at ease with themselves and with high self-esteem.

Rap fans are outgoing and far from gentle, while indie music lovers lack both self-esteem and the work ethic.

[There is also] a link between income bracket and musical tastes, with more affluent consumers liking more exciting, punchy music while those lower down the pay scale preferring more relaxing sounds."

Perhaps the most unexpected finding of the study revealed the many similarities between people who listened to heavy metal music and those who listened to classical music. Both groups were described as, "gentle, creative people who are at ease with themselves."

Keep in mind that this study isn't a personality test. Most people listen to many different kinds of music and also have very unique personalities. They can't be fit into such general categories as the ones presented in this study. But the key to this study is that certain types of musical tastes correlate with -- not cause (necessarily) -- certain types of personalities. Correlation isn't causation. We can't gain stronger work ethic just by listening to country music. On the other side, many already hard-working people don't like country music. The findings are still very interesting though as long we remember that personality isn't solely based on musical tastes.

What I like about this study is that it proves what we've already known: love of music is universal. It penetrates borders, language and culture itself. Music defines who we are. Like the great Bob Marley still says, "One good thing about music -- when it hits, you feel no pain." That's something we can all relate to.