Music preference and political orientation have similar (but independent) effects on social attraction

Introduction: Similarities between people, including similarities in music preference, can increase social attraction. It has been suggested that the relationship between music preference similarity and social attraction operates indirectly via attributes which music preference is signaling. In other words, individuals may infer other shared traits or values from music preference, which may reflect broader similarity. The current study examined whether music preference similarity and political orientation similarity interact to predict social attraction or whether music preference similarity has an independent effect on social attraction. Method: In an online, between-groups study participants were assigned to groups in which musical and political similarity with a target person were manipulated. Participants then reported their social attraction towards the target. If music preference similarity influences social attraction primarily by signaling political orientation, an interaction between musical similarity and political similarity on social attraction would be expected, with no independent effect for music preference alone. Results: The current study found independent positive effects of music preference similarity and political orientation similarity on social attraction, with no interaction between the two independent variables. Discussion: Findings indicate that music preference similarity and political orientation similarity are influencing social attraction separately, suggesting that shared music taste is not just acting as an indicator of other similarities. This research has implications for the use of music preferences to bridge differences between individuals.