


According to this theory, music can induce a mood that is then associated with learned information then, when the same mood is induced via the same music, memory of that information is improved. Music-dependent memory is a subcategory of this research. Music can help learning via what psychologists call “state-dependent memory.” This is the theory that you more easily remember information associated with a mental or emotional state when you are once again in that same state. Not only will you work faster, but you will have more fun doing it (in theory…)! Music improves learning and memory Background music has been found to increase productivity, decrease the time each task takes, and increase the enjoyment of the task. Space-filling music, generally known as background music, is best for improving focus and pace in repetitive tasks. As it turns out, studies have shown that certain kinds of music can help productivity levels as well. We all would like to be a little bit more productive during our days. The study indicated a little ambient noise took up just enough attention to keep people from unhelpfully fixating on minutiae, which created opportunities for abstract thinking. One recent study demonstrated this phenomenon by showing that low to moderate levels of ambient background noise actually improved creativity. Music as an aid to creativityĬreativity can be improved by just the tiniest bit of attention being taken up by ambient noise. So again, distraction is dependent on the kind of music, which seems likely related to the presence of lyrics, among other factors. One of the key findings though in a more recent study, is that while popular music was detrimental to reading ability, classical music wasnotdistracting at all. Essentially, the tests only showed how well can you read while listening to someone else’s words. In addition, test subjects were generally assigned reading tasks for testing, which measured things like reading comprehension and efficacy. In much of this research, dating back to the earliest studies,and stretching to the more recent investigations, scientists tested specific kinds of music, like popular music, which nearly always has lyrics.

The short answer: it depends on the kind of music.Īnecdotally, many of us have found music to be distracting during work, and research studies have actually proven that this mental distraction does occur when certain music is played. Or maybe you work in a really noisy office, and it’s hard to be productive when you’re constantly being distracted by coworkers. Maybe you stare at the screen aimlessly check your Facebook feed a dozen times or get up and grab a snack…again. You just can’t muster the want to get any work done. The feeling is underwhelming but ever present.
