A psychological study conducted by Heriot-Watt University claims to have statistically proven a correclation between the type of music people listen to and their personalities.

Professor Adrian North and his team contacted over 36,000 fans of a variety music styles from across the globe, asking them which personality traits they would ascribe to themselves. The results appear to support a number of existing stereotypes regarding the adherents to several musical genres.

According to Professor North’s findings, indie listeners are likely to suffer from low self-esteem and a poor work ethic, while fans of rap and hip-hop are on average confident, outgoing and energetic. Reggae fans are creative and kind, but lazy when compared to listeners of country & western music, found to be hard-working.

“People often try to define their sense of identity through their musical taste, wearing particular clothes, going to certain pubs, and using certain types of slang,” Professor North told the Independent.

“It’s not so surprising that personality should also be related to musical preference.”

The study has found that the two musical genres that are closest in sharing personality traits amongst their listeners are heavy metal and classical music – a fan of either could be expected to be creative and at ease with themselves, but introverted.

United by a “love of the grandiose,” Professor North said: “Aside from their age difference, they’re basically the same kind of person.

“Lots of heavy metal fans will tell you that they also like Wagner, because it’s big, loud and brash. There’s also a sense of theatre in both.”