A recent university study found that after listening to rock music, white people are more empathetic towards other whites, and in turn, relate less to Latinos and African-Americans.

Researchers tested 138 students — telling them they were taking part in a study of how funds should be distributed in college — and, after participants sat for seven minutes while either rock or ‘top 40 hits’ played in the background (before they started what they thought was the ‘real’ part of the study) they were presented with an array of charitable organizations—many benefiting people of color—then asked to choose the one they’d like to donate to.

Students who listened to rock music gave around 35 percent of their funds to white charities, whereas those who listened to top 40 music split their funds evenly between all organizations, regardless of ethnic affiliation. The Daily Mail reports on this story.

Just a few minutes of listening to mainstream rock music such as Bruce Springsteen and the White Stripes is enough to make white students focus on the interests of other whites at the expense of back people and Latinos.

White students who listened to Top 40 pop – made by artists such as Gwen Stefani and Akon – were fairer towards other ethnic groups.The researchers, who tested 138 students with different genres, say the finding shows that because rock is associated with white people, people unconsciously favour their own race after listening.

Students were told they were taking part in a study of how funds should be distributed in college – and offered a range of ethnic-based groups to share money between. After listening to Bruce Springsteen and the White Stripes, the students handed most of the money to white people.

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