Music preferences linked to intelligence, study suggests

A study by software developer Virgil Griffith, published in the dossier 'Music That Makes You Dumb,' claims a correlation between musical taste and academic performance. The research analyzed SAT scores and Facebook music shares of students, finding that those with higher scores preferred classical composers like Beethoven, as well as bands such as U2, Radiohead, and Bob Dylan. Lower-scoring students favored hip hop and reggaeton artists like Lil Wayne, Beyoncé, and Jay-Z. The methodology is scientifically questionable, as it does not directly measure intelligence and relies on self-reported Facebook data. The study presents only statistical correlations, not causal evidence. Griffith's findings have sparked debate but lack rigorous scientific backing.