Why do I like rock and why do you like country? Why does anyone like country, actually? Kidding! We kid, because we love. Seriously though--the most recent issue of Psychology of Music has a pretty interesting article on identity, music, and sexual attraction. This led us to think about why we like what we like, and how this can make or break a relationship. Seriously--would YOU be sexually attracted to someone who was into Yanni? Anyway, let's figure this out.

1. At some point in adolescence, music becomes a symbol of identity to help you belong.

the Long Beach band the New Fidelity, so happy because they belong together !

Basically, when you're a kid and your hormones are raging and you're trying to figure out who you are and what you want, you put together a set of symbols that allow you to communicate your identity to the world. Music plays a huge part in that--according to a research duo named North and Hargraves, music functions as a 'badge' people use to not only judge others but at the same time, to express their own self-concepts. The kid who wants to appear rebellious picks music that seems like it's made by people who rebel. The kid who wants to belong picks music that appears to be made by people who are accepted. Etc. Ultimately, we all want to belong, and choose a peer group where we feel at home. Music helps us to figure out which peer group we best belong to.