THE EFFECTS OF BACKGROUND MUSIC ON COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE

Abstract

Multiple studies have indicated that performing cognitive tasks while listening to auditory stimuli, such as music, could possibly involve greater cognitive processing (Kiger,1989). However, while previous research has investigated the effects of music on comprehension reading, what studies lack are the effects different types of music may have on cognitive performance. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of music that people prefer the most versus the least, and determine whether this enhances or diminishes their capabilities to perform reading comprehension tasks accurately and attentively under such back ground music. Twenty undergraduate students at the University of Arizona with normal hearing thresholds were recruited to perform reading comprehension tests under three particular conditions: no music, music they prefer, and music they have the least interest in. The hypothesis is that participants will have the easiest time performing the reading comprehension with no music, some trouble focusing with music they enjoy, and the greatest difficulty focusing when listening to music they do not enjoy.