Abstract

People have long speculated the effects of music on learning. According to the Mozart effect, classical music has a positive effect on learning. Researchers have found that other genres of music, as well as silence, can actually act as distracters rather than stimulators. In the present study, 32 participants were tested under four different conditions. The participants were required to read an excerpt and then answer questions about the excerpt. For three of the excerpts, the participant was required to read and then answer questions while listening to music, while the fourth reading comprehension task was completed in silence. Results were inconclusive, as some participants followed the Mozart effect and performed better while listening to classical music, while other participants performed better in the other experimental conditions. Thus, music may have an effect on the concentration of some people, but not on others.

Recommended Citation

Ip, Jennifer (2003) "The Effects of Music on Concentration," Undergraduate Psychology Research Methods Journal: Vol. 1: Iss. 2, Article 3.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.lindenwood.edu/psych_journals/vol1/iss2/3