He said: "We have always suspected a link between music taste and personality. This is the first time that we've been able to look at it in real detail. No-one has ever done this on this scale before."
Prof North said the research could have many uses in marketing, adding: "If you know a person's music preference you can tell what kind of person they are, who to sell to.
"There are obvious implications for the music industry who are are worried about declining CD sales.
"One of the most surprising things is the similarities between fans of classical music and heavy metal. They're both creative and at ease but not outgoing.
"The general public has held a stereotype of heavy metal fans being suicidally depressed and of being a danger to themselves and society in general. But they are quite delicate things."
More than 36,000 people from all over the world were asked to rate 104 musical styles and also questioned about aspects of their personality.
The study is continuing and Prof North, who is head of the university's department of applied psychology, is still looking for participants to take part in a short online questionnaire.
MUSICAL STYLES VERSUS PERSONALITY TRAITS
BLUES
High self-esteem, creative, outgoing, gentle and at ease
JAZZ
High self-esteem, creative, outgoing and at ease
CLASSICAL MUSIC
High self-esteem, creative, introvert and at ease
RAP
High self-esteem, outgoing
OPERA
High self-esteem, creative, gentle
COUNTRY AND WESTERN
Hardworking, outgoing
REGGAE
High self-esteem, creative, not hardworking, outgoing, gentle and at ease
DANCE
Creative, outgoing, not gentle
INDIE
Low self-esteem, creative, not hard working, not gentle
BOLLYWOOD
Creative, outgoing
ROCK/HEAVY METAL
Low self-esteem, creative, not hard-working, not outgoing, gentle, at ease
CHART POP
High self-esteem, not creative, hardworking, outgoing, gentle, not at ease
SOUL
High self-esteem, creative, outgoing, gentle, at ease
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