Checking the contents of a friend's iPod could tell you much more than what music they snooze off to in the office. Psychology Professor Adrian North surveyed more than 36,000 people worldwide and says he has discovered clear links between musical tastes and personality.

Professor North's findings back up some common stereotypes such as gloomy, listless indie fans, outgoing rappers and cool, creative jazz fans. But his most remarkable discovery is that heavy metal fans – thought by some to be mindless head-bangers – have almost identical personalities to lovers of classical music, both being, he says, gentle, creative and rather shy.

Reggae fans should be good company for a night on the town, being described as outgoing and generous, but expect to pay for all the drinks yourself if you step out with rock and roll fans who, according to Professor North, are not kind or generous. As well as the faults mentioned above, the poor old Indie fans also get tagged as tight-fisted.

The research was carried out on the Internet by the Psychology Department of Scotland's Herriot Watt University. To take part in the survey, go to http://www.peopleintomusic.com/.

What does your music collection say about you?

Blues - High self-esteem, creative, outgoing, gentle and at ease

Jazz - High self-esteem, creative, outgoing and at ease

Indie - Low self-esteem, creative, not hard working, not generous

Rap - High self-esteem, outgoing

Heavy Metal - Creative, not outgoing, gentle, at ease

Classical - High self-esteem, creative, not outgoing, at ease

Reggae - High self-esteem, creative, outgoing, gentle and at ease

Rock and Roll - creative, hard-working, at ease, not generous.

Country - Hardworking, outgoing

(China.org.cn by John Sexton September 5, 2008)