project overview

Music is a uniquely human experience, yet individuals vary considerably in how they engage with and respond to it. A key factor underlying this variation may be Openness to Experience — a core personality trait associated with aesthetic sensitivity, intellectual curiosity, and receptivity to novel stimuli. But how exactly does this trait shape the attitudes we form when we listen to music, and what neural processes drive that relationship?

This blog documents the progress of my research project, Personality Shapes Musical Attitude: Neural Correlates of Trait Openness and Attitude Formation During Music Listening, which investigates the neural mechanisms underlying the link between trait openness and attitudinal processing in music listening. Using EEG to capture real-time cortical activity alongside self-report measures of personality and musical attitude, this project aims to shed light on the neurobiological basis of individual differences in music perception.

The blog will serve as a running record of the research process — covering theoretical background, methodological decisions, preliminary findings, and reflections along the way. It is intended for both academic readers and those with a general interest in the neuroscience of music and personality.