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David Parsons
Professor Cauruso
3 June 2016
UWRT 1102
Synthesis Paper (Updated)

How Can Music Influence One's Ability to Study?

Listening to music is thought to be a great tool for studying and learning and there have ashbeen
manya number of studies looking at different types of music and the way memory and recall can be
influenced by them. Not all of these studies are attempting to make the same claim and several of them
contradict each other with their results. These particular studies look at music preference, lyrical vs
instrumental, personality type, music intensity, and binaural beats. Because of the amount of varying
results, there is some room for interpretation to explain these differences.and speculation considering
many different variables.

One variable that is very important to consider is the question of music preference. Does
listening to music that you enjoy improve your performance in cognitive-demanding tasks? Cognitivedemanding tasks are tasks which require one to think critically, make connections, and draw

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conclusions. As one would assume, it is important to be at the top of your game, mentally, to
appropriately complete these challenges. Is your favorite music helping you reach desired results?
There are a few studies that pertain to the topic of preference and some interesting results were reached
with each of these. The first study, done at the University of Wales, examined the ability to serial recall.
Serial recall is the ability to recall a specific list of items in order. Each participant was given a list to
recall in two conditions; one where the music is liked and the other disliked (Perham,Vizard). After
completing the examination, the findings were that the performance for both instances did not change
significantly(Perham,Vizard). Another study, also involving serial recall, resulting in the fact that
preferred genre actually performed worse on the recall than with disliked music (Smith, Carrol, and
Morris). In order to explain why, there was speculation that preferred music can result in emotion and
memories associated with the music This was thought to sidetrack participants from the task at hand
(Smith, Carrol, and Morris). Proving this change in the brain, another study in 2014 using brain
imaging revealed that there indeed are changes in neural connectivity associated with emotional and
memory parts of the brain(Wilkins et al.). This can explain why preferred music can be distracting
because it can cause someone to get caught up in their emotions associated with past memories and
experiences, causing them to get sidetracked instead of putting all their focus in the present moment.
The results should be something to be aware of, because listening to preferred music while studying is
definitely not uncommon..

As personality differences in individuals can be associated with variety in preferred learning

environments, the data comparing such differences should be considered. Furnham and Bradley were
colleagues in the Department of Psychology at the University Of London. They conducted a study on
the effects of pop music on introverts and extraverts(Furnham, Bradley). They decided to study two
polar opposites in terms of personality. The colleagues also introduced silence into the experiment.

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Their results concluded that introverts were most negatively affected by the music, and that introverts
also performed better under the silence condition(Furnham, Bradley).So Furnham and Bradley are
saying that introverts better perform in silence and extroverts perform worse in silence. This can
perhaps be explained by the mental processes of both personalities and environment in which each
personality thrives. Introverts usually prefer to be alone or in a quiet environment, while extroverts
normally are more comfortable with a more interactive environment. Extroverts also are more likely to
get uncomfortable or bored in situations that involve silence so their minds may wonder and show less
interest than an introvert in the same context.

There has also been speculation and information regarding the difference of lyrical and
instrumental music when performing cognitively. The University of Phoenix has conducted some
research pertaining to multitasking and evidence suggests that music with lyrics can have similar
results when compared to multitasking in general. Doing these two things at once is considered
multitasking, and research has found that multitasking can decrease IQ by ten points(Tickell).
Basically, the effort the brain puts into processing the two tasks will lower cognitive performance in the
primary task. A professor at Stanford University, Clifford Naas, shares his viewpoint on music with
lyrics: Music with lyrics is very likely to have a problematic effect in terms of writing or reading.
Probably less of an effect on math, if you're not using the language processing parts of your
brain(Tickell).Naas is explaining that using the language processing functions of the brain will likely
keep someone preoccupied rather than keeping all their attention on reading or writing. Something that
doesn't use language processors such as math will likely not be negatively effected by lyrical music
because the brain will be able to focus properly on one task. Instrumental music has also shown some
interesting results when compared to silence. A study at the Chicago School of Professional
Psychology, was conducted to attempt to replicate the Mozart effect, which is an increase in cognition

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thought to be the result of Mozart piano (Lerch, Anderson). The study involved children and
documentation of their ability to perform in visual, verbal, attention, and learning assessments in
conditions of silence and while listening to Mozart. The results showed that the conditions minimally
affected both groups(Lerch, Anderson). So basically the music had no positive effect when compared
to the silent condition. I think it is appropriate to mention the only music presented was Mozart piano
and that other forms of instrumental music were not considered. These other forms of instrumental
music can be in all sorts of genres such as Electronic dance music, country, and even hip hop. There are
not any reputable studies to show how these types of instrumental can change performance of the brain,
however, what Mr. Naas said about language processing can certainly apply to these instrumentals as
well. Maybe some expeiriments should be conducted with preferred instrumental genres considered.
However, a study conducted in France looked at different conditions while listening to a
lecture(Dosseville, Laborde, and Scelles). This study also presented participants with a silent
environment and classical music. The results showed that the recognition of the group exposed to
music was significantly higher than the group exposed to silence (Dosseville, Laborde, and Scelles).
I also think that is important to realize that most study environments are not controlled and are most
likely not going to be 100 percent silent at all times. Depending on the environment, there are usually
many distractions or at least small changes in the static that can keep the noise level moderate.
Examples of some environmental noises could be an air conditioner in a dorm room, birds chirping and
other animals rustling outside, and the chattering of surrounding customers at a coffee shop.

There is also another important variable with music and concentration, and that is the volume
and pace of the music. Hallman, Price, and Katsarou are researchers in the area of Education Studies.
These researchers presented children ages 10 to 12 with high intensity(fast paced, loud) music and low

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intensity(slow paced, quieter) while examining short term memory(Hallam, Price, and Katsarou). Also
a silent condition was presented. The results showed that the high intensity music produced the worst
results, following was the silent condition, then the low intensity producing the best outcome. They
conclude that this type of music can provide an environment that can put students at ease(Hallam,
Price, and Katsarou). The researchers maintain that the calm environment created an optimal state for
learning. Many people listen to high intensity music while studying, so changing to calm music could
provide an unexpected relief and allow the individual to relax and perhaps have increased results.

There is data based on music utilized for studying purposes, but what about music that has been
specifically designed for learning and retaining information? Thomas Frank is a former student,
business owner, and blogger. Thomas brought up an interesting topic on his blog about binaural beats.
Binaural beats are auditory hallucinations caused by two different pitches; one played in each ear, the
brain the perceives a third pitch that does not actually exist(Frank). This beats were created with the
intention of increasing cognitive ability. The sound is thought to increase brainwave activity associated
with mental focus. There are multiple studies on this topic, that are directly contradictory to each other
(Frank). These studies show that no conclusions can be drawn to suggest whether these binaural beats
actually serve the intended purpose. Thomas hypothesized that a large number of results were likely a
result of the placebo effect. The placebo effect happens when a patient is aware of an intended effect
that something is supposed to have, and as a result experiences those effects, whether the actual
substance is effective or not. The placebo effect is very real, and has been significantly measured in
other areas such as medicine. Perhaps a placebo effect study using music would provide some insight
and show how much of impact it has on concentration, memory, and performance.

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I have conducted a survey of my own family and their study habits. My mother reported that
she can only listen to quiet, piano music. My father reported that he only listens to his favorite music,
rock and roll when studying. My older sister reported that she usually listens to loud electronic music,
and that it has to be without headphones. My younger sister reported she listens to popular rap music
most of the time, and sometimes electronic music as well. I have noticed a trend, and that is the lyrical
to instrument ratio among the four is basically even. So, as the studies show lyrical music to be
distracting , this shows that there can be contradicting experiences. As previously mentioned, placebo
affect could have something to do with this. There are not currently any large-scale studies to show the
relationship between music study habits and placebo effect. I have encouraged my family members to
see if changing their music study habits will render contrasting results.

Considering that all mentioned music studies have varying results, it might be possible that the
placebo effect might have something to do with that variance. So, it might be worthwhile to consider
how the placebo effect might have an influence on students with their own study habits. Another
significant variable to consider is the concept of contextual learning. Contextual learning is learning
information in a particular context, resulting in best performance for applying that information in the
same context as when learned. Steven M Smith is a professor at Texas A&M University, and has
conducted a study based on music and context-dependent learning. He arranged a serial recall test for
participants in two conditions; one with steady background music, and one with relatively normal
environmental sounds. The participants were tested with both music and without music and the results
showed that performance was higher when studying in the same context as tested in(Smith). This study
proves the significance of context when learning. For students, this may be important, because most
testing environments do not allow the individual to listen to music for any reason. It would not be too
far off to say that it would be in the average student's best interest to study in silence if the exam will be

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in silence, because it would be more similar in context. However, that is not something the average
student would want to hear because silence can often bore the individual, especially if they are used to
music in the background. Maybe significantly changing the study environment could help someone
reach results that are unimaginable by personal standards. How will you ever know the best method if
you have not experimented with your own environment?

Work Cited
Dosseville, Fabrice, Sylvain Laborde, and Nicolas Scelles. "Music during Lecture: Will Students Learn
Better?" Learning and Individual Differences22.2 (2012): 258-62. ResearchGate. Web. 3 June 2016.
Frank, Thomas. "Can Music Be Designed to Enhance Your Brain's Performance?" College Info Geek.
Frank, 11 Feb. 2016. Web. 3 June 2016.

Thomas

Furnham, Adrian, and Anna Bradley. "Music While You Work: The Differential Distraction of Background Music
on the Cognitive Test Performance of Introverts and Extraverts." Applied Cognitive Psychology 11.5
(1997):
445-55.Wiley Online Library. Web. 3 June 2016.
Hallam, S., J. Price, and G. Katsarou. "The Effects of Background Music on Primary School Pupils Task
Performance." Educational Studies 28.2 (2002): 111-22. Media Violence Resource Center. Web. 3 June
2016.

Lerch, Donna, and Thomas Anderson, Dr. "The Mozart Effect: A Closer Look."UUIC.edu. UUIC.edu, Spring
2000. Web. 3 June 2016.
Perham, Nick, and Joanne Vizard. "Can Preference for Background Music Mediate the Irrelevant Sound
Effect?" Applied Cognitive Psychology 25.4 (2011): 625-31. ResearchGate. Web. 3 June 2016.
Smith, Carrol, and Larry Morris. "DIFFERENTIAL EFFECTS OF STIMULATIVE AND SEDATIVE MUSIC ON
ANXIETY, CONCENTRATION, AND PERFORMANCE Read More:
Http://www.amsciepub.com/doi/abs/10.2466/pr0.1977.41.3f.1047."Psychological Reports F 41.3
(1977): 1047-053. AmSci. Web. 3 June 2016.

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Smith, Steven M. "Background Music and Context-Dependent Memory." The American Journal of
Psychology 98.4 (1985): 591-603. JSTOR. Web. 3 June 2016.
Tickell, Sofia Castello. "Should You Listen to Music While You Study?" USA Today College. USA Today, 10
Sept. 2012. Web. 3 June 2016.
Wilkins, R. W., D. A. Hodges, P. J. Laurienti, M. Steen, and J. H. Burdette. "Network Science and the Effects
of Music Preference on Functional Brain Connectivity: From Beethoven to Eminem." Scientific
Reports 4 (2014).Nature.com. Web. 3 June 2016.