When we write a term paper, do homework, or prepare for lectures, we often want to play music in the background — studying will not seem so boring. However, we don't think about the effect that the tracks of our favorite artists have on our brain. Researchers have long been trying to determine whether music helps during school or work, or vice versa, hinders. What did they come to?
The Mozart Effect
Discussions about the influence of music on mental faculties often involve the so-called "Mozart effect". This term originated in 1991 and became popular after the publication of a study in the authoritative journal Nature: the authors of the work suggested that classical music can have a positive effect on cognitive functions.
As part of the experiment, students had to listen to a piece of Mozart's music for 10 minutes before taking a series of tests. Participants who listened to music performed better on tasks related to spatial perception and origami folding. However, the researchers noticed that the improvement in cognitive abilities was temporary — it lasted no more than 15 minutes after listening to music.
Studying the Mozart Effect
Scientists have continued to investigate the Mozart effect, which suggests an improvement in cognitive abilities when listening to the music of the legendary composer. In 1999, professors from Canada conducted several experiments in which participants were asked to listen to Mozart, Schubert, or be silent before completing a task. Individual participants listened to Stephen King's story and compared the results. It turned out that there was no noticeable difference between the effects of different music — the main thing was that the listeners liked what they heard.
A 1967 study in the United States also pointed to a potential positive role for background music in learning: at the time, scientists thought it could improve academic performance and lift the spirits of students and teachers.
In 2012, a group of scientists from France and Germany conducted a study to examine the effects of music on students' academic performance. To do this, they organized an experiment with two groups of students who were shown the same lectures, but one of the groups was additionally played classical music. After the lecture, both groups were tested: the results showed that the group that listened to the music performed better. However, the researchers acknowledged that further research is needed to determine the exact effects of music on academic performance.
In 2020, a professor from the Pan American University experimented with the use of binaural music during his online economics courses.
Binaural music creates a unique sound effect when two sounds of different frequencies enter the ears.
The professor played such music during his lectures and noticed an improvement in the students' academic performance. In 2021, he published the results of his study, confirming the positive impact of binaural music on learning.
All of these studies highlight the complexity of the question of the impact of music on academic performance, but also show that there is no definitive answer at this point.
The Effects of Music on Learning and Perception During Sleep
Psychologists from an American university conducted an interesting experiment: they studied the effect of music on learning in interactive classes and during sleep. As part of the experiments, the researchers decided to find out how music listened to during learning and repeated during sleep can affect the assimilation of learning material. The experiment involved students who were invited to listen to a lecture on macroeconomics with background music by Vivaldi, Beethoven and Chopin. After the lecture, the students went to bed, and during their deep sleep, the researchers played the same music or white noise. The next morning, participants were asked to take a test that included questions aimed at testing not only their retention of information, but also their ability to apply it.
The results of the experiment showed that the group that was turned on music during sleep demonstrated better assimilation of the material. Such findings confirm the hypothesis that the music that a student listens to during study and sleep can have a positive effect on his efficiency and assimilation of knowledge, contributes to more successful memorization of information in the short term.
For the method to be effective, the music must be wordless and have a familiar melody for listeners.
How to choose the right music for study or work?
For teachers and students, using music in their studies can be beneficial, but the choice of compositions requires attention. Things to consider:
- Selection. It is important to choose musical compositions that will be suitable for the educational environment, promote concentration and not distract attention;
- Sound quality and volume. Music should create a comfortable environment for learning, not interfere with the learning process;
- Listeners' preferences. It is important to take into account the individual preferences of students and teachers: some people may prefer quiet and calm music, while others may like something more energetic;
- Avoidance of words in music. Music with a lot of words can be distracting and interfere with studying;
- Taking into account the personality type. It's important to consider that introverts may prefer silence or quieter music, while extroverts will find inspiration in more dynamic melodies.
Music can create a positive environment for learning and have a positive effect on students' mood and motivation, but its effectiveness in enhancing cognitive abilities remains a subject of research.
