THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CONFLICT ACTIVITY STYLES AND MUSIC GENRE PREFERENCES IN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Abstract

From the past to the present, music has become a tool that plays a significant role in individuals’ lives and benefited them in numerous ways. Although music has a wide range of genres, people's musical genre preferences also vary. Numerous studies examining individuals' music preferences with various variables have revealed that there is a strong relationship between individuals' music preferences, personality characteristics, and behaviors. Based on this, the study aimed to examine the relationship between music preferences and conflict activity styles. A total of 84 university students—42 male and 42 females —participated in the study. The data were collected through Personal Information Form and Conflict Activity Styles Inventory. As a result of this study, it was determined that there was no significant relationship between conflict activity styles and music genre preferences. Music genre preferences do not show significant differentiation according to conflict activity styles. On the other hand, music genre preferences show significant differences according to sex. While girls prefer the upbeat-conventional music genre more, boys prefer intense-rebellious and slow-calm music. Finally, and this is the most important finding of the research, intense-rebellious and upbeat-conventional music preferences are significantly higher in students with a forcing conflict activity style. This study aims to serve as a resource for future research by examining the connection between music preferences and conflict activity styles.