A Network Analysis of the Association Between Big Five Personality Traits and Sensitivity to Music Rewards

Existing research has yet to clarify the precise ways personality traits intersect with different dimensions of music reward sensitivity—a crucial area for understanding the psychological factors shaping musical engagement. This study used network analysis with 1,106 Chinese participants to explore links between Big Five personality traits and music reward sensitivity. Extraversion was negatively associated with mood regulation but positively linked to social reward, while Agreeableness correlated with both. Conscientiousness was linked solely to mood regulation, and Neuroticism to emotional evocation. Openness showed the strongest associations—musical seeking, emotional evocation, and social reward—and had the highest bridging influence, underscoring its central role. Extraversion, though ranking second in bridging strength, had reduced bridging influence due to its negative association with mood regulation. These findings reveal intricate, diverse relationships between personality and music reward sensitivity, with Openness and Extraversion emerging as particularly impactful traits.