I’m skeptical about studies like this, but I had a bit of fun this weekend mentioning this WSJ post to my vocal music loving husband. It seems that researchers found that higher IQ did predict a preference for instrumental over vocal music.
If brought back to life, early humans might grasp “American Idol,” but they’d be stumped by a Brahms symphony. According to one theory, music began, evolutionarily speaking, with expressive vocalization, and instrumental music (and bigger brains) arrived much later.To test out a correlation between intelligence and preferring the nonvocal classics, researchers drew on the 1993 edition of the General Social Survey, conducted by the National Opinion Research Center. The 1,600 participants were asked to rate their enjoyment of 18 musical genres on a 1-to-5 scale. Half also took a vocabulary test, converted to an IQ score.
After statistically correcting for socioeconomic factors, the researchers found that higher IQ did, indeed, predict a preference for instrumental over vocal music. The researcher’s “instrumental” genres were classical, big band and easy listening. Those who liked classical music a lot had an average IQ of 107; those who hated it scored 93.
“Why More Intelligent Individuals Like Classical Music,” Satoshi Kanazawa and Kaja Perina, Journal of Behavioral Decision Making (forthcoming)
Well, I know for certain that my husband’s intelligence is certainly not supportive of these findings, but it was fun to talk about. Oh, and Happy Valentine’s Day, dear!
Thanks, so nice of you to say. It reminds me of our discussions during undergrad about programmatic music . . . alas, the study does apparently prove that the high IQ types feel the need to claim they like classical. Maybe its a matter of conditioning. After all, at a faculty or office party, who wants to be the one to raise their hand and say they really like CCM or Jim Brickman (even when they do)? Its much more posh to claim to like something as grand sounding as “classical” music. Regardless, words still benefit from great music, so keep up the great work sweetheart 😉
Tee hee hee – just showed this to my husband, who is not only a systems analyst (web developer, computer programmer – whatever they call them these days) but he is also a trained Opera singer. We both listen to classical music but dare I say it – we have both been known on occasion to pull out the Lady Gaga stops. Perhaps that’s on our “lower IQ days”. ;D
Lol! Thanks for sharing that Dianna. Wow, what an interesting combo…IT and Opera!