There has been a great deal of research conducted about people's musical preferences and what causes people to have an affinity for a particular style. Many studies involve the age, gender, race and other characteristics of their subjects, all of which impact a person's taste. Many more experiments dealt with the emotional responses that music stimulates. The results of musical taste studies are extremely varied, but some conclusions have been drawn. Long-term musical training, such as piano lessons, affects a person's response to music. Hearing the same song repeatedly also creates a preference for or against the music. Peer group influence and mass media also influence musical tastes.
Many people would say they love their preferred music because of the way it makes them feel. Music has the power to change moods or even cause our hearts to race. Music is often seen as a way to express emotions. When people feel they can relate to a song or tune, it often becomes one of their preferred pieces of music. If people feel entertained by a style of music, they will seek out more songs in that genre. Music and dance are often inseparable; many people love music they can move to. People also respond to styles their parents or friends enjoy.
An infant's ears are fully functional four months before birth. Even in the womb, humans take in their musical surroundings. At a very early age, humans begin to learn consonant and dissonant intervals (the distance between notes). Young children prefer simple songs, and the more musical variety they hear at a young age, the more they remember and can comprehend later. The teenage years are a turning point for musical preferences. At this age, most people begin to take an interest in music. People with Alzheimer's may not remember the names of their visitors, but they can remember the words to their favorite songs as teens. Our teenage years are emotionally charged and our musical brains are getting closer to their adult form. Most people form their musical taste by age 18 or 20.
Most people like to find the right balance of simplicity and complexity in a piece of music. Musicians especially tend to appreciate or prefer more complex styles because they are not stimulated or surprised by music that is too simple. One of the greatest influences on our musical tastes is rhythm. For example, non-musicians tend to dislike Latin music because the rhythms are complicated and unpredictable. When people are asked what they like about certain music, many say, "It has a good beat." In general, music stimulates important parts of the brain, and our tastes are partially defined by the styles of music that arouse our brains, bodies and senses.