Abstract
M.A. (Clinical Psychology)
This study primarily investigates the content and subtypes of stereotypes that Black
students hold towards Black students who listen to Rock music. The secondary aim of
this study was to explore ethnic group differences in music listenership, especially
with regard to Rock and Rap/Hip-Hop genres, which are associated with White youth
culture and Black youth culture respectively. Using a Likert type scale, participants
indicated the frequency with which they listened to Rock, Rap/Hip-Hop, Country, and
Classical music genres. Results indicated that most Black respondents either rarely or
never listened to Rock while most White respondents listened to Rock either
occasionally or most of the time. Rap/Hip-Hop was the most popular genre among all
respondents.
Further results of this study also indicated the presence of a measureable stereotype
consisting of 31 stereotypic attributes that Black students hold towards other Black
students who listen to Rock music. The specific stereotype, identified by this study, of
Black students who listen to Rock music contained two subtypes, namely the Sociable
Unique Artistic, Free-spirits subtype and the Odd Deviant and Boisterous subtype.
The Sociable Unique Artistic, Free-spirits subtype included attributes that were more
positive in comparison to the Odd Deviant and Boisterous subtype which contained
negative stereotypes.
Suggestions of how future research can build on or extend the information gained
from the present study were also made.