Closed-earedness

An interesting concept that has gained some momentum over the last twenty years has been that of open and closed-earedness.

Children appear to experience phases of 'open-earedness', such as middle childhood, where they tolerate a large amount of musical styles, and 'closed-earedness', such as adolescence, where their preferences are far more constrained.

In childhood we are 'open-eared' and like lots of different things. In adolescence we have a period of 'closed-earedness', when we pick our allegiances and music is very important.

All this research implies that lasting preferences seem likely to be formed at the critical adolescent period, coinciding with a phase of closed-earedness, although they are subject to further development over the lifespan.