A N Investigation of the Effects of N Euroticism and E Xtraversion on Musically - Induced Emotions

The Geneva Emotional Music Scale (GEMS) is one of the first domainspecific models of musically-induced emotion. In order for it to be established as a valid research tool, the causes of inter-listener variance on the scale must be identified. The effects of Extraversion and Neuroticism levels on listener responses to the GEMS were examined within an undergraduate sample. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups, with 41 participants in the experimental condition presented with musical excerpts of varying genres, while 40 control participants listened to excerpts of elevator music. Extraversion was found to be significantly, positively correlated with emotional response to music in the experimental condition. In contrast with previous research, a weak, negative correlation was observed between Neuroticism and musically-induced emotions in both groups. Additional individual characteristics such as gender and mood also influenced responses on the GEMS. Overall, the emotional responses to control and experimental stimuli were comparable. Further research is required to account for the effects of the experimental setting on the relationship between personality and musically induced emotions.