The Effects of Music Genre and Their Volume and How They Change Accuracy on Tests

Worth a Listen?

Music is a vital part of human culture as it is all around us. Driving to work, getting a work out in, and even studying for that big exam!

Rock and Classical Music

Rock music is a possible condition that a participant can be assigned. If assigned this condition upon entering the Qualtrics Survey the participant will be asked to play a link embedded into the survey of instrumental rock music. Participants will then be asked to perform the rest of the test under this condition.

Classical music is the other condition a participant may receive through random assignment. If assigned this condition upon entering the Qualtrics Survey the participant will be asked to play a link embedded into the survey of instrumental classical music. Participants will then be asked to perform the rest of the test under this condition.

Low and High Volume

Volume is another factor used to study accuracy in this study, participants may either receive a low or high volume for either of their conditions.

For example if a participant is given the loud rock condition they will be asked to play the music given at the volume of 100 for the rest of their test. For quiet rock music the participant will be asked to play the song at a volume of 30 for the rest of the test. Participants will only receive one condition since this study is a between groups design.

How the Test Scores Are Affected

Rock music associated with intense beats and high intensity had no significant relationship with participant’s accuracy on their basic math word problem test. Classical music and rock music had similar results showing no significant relationship between music genre and accuracy.There was a significant relationship between music of a high volume with a lower test score on the basic word problem math test. Those, who receieved a more quiet condition received higher scores on the test than the loud music condition.

Hypotheses

Originally, we hypothesized that the genre of music would have a significant effect on the results of the task. Our results disagree with our original hypothesis and instead show that volume has a significant relationship with accuracy on the task.

Figure With the Results

Table 1 shows the results of each condition on the 5 question basic math word problem test.

Discussion (limitations, strengths, implications)

Limitations- Data cannot be generalized to the entire population due to a small age/ demographic sample that is unable to reflect the entire population. This study also, did not take into account music preferences which may play a role in results.

Strengths- Random selection allowed for less room for bias to affect results. Another strength is using a standardized test format allowing for results to be analyzed easier than in an open response study.

Implications- This study may be used in assistance to education to optimize the perfect environment for students to acquire and process information allowing for the highest level of success.

Should Music be Used to Study?

Music may be beneficial for focus while completing tasks such as homework or studying for that final exam, rock and classical may both be helpful in enhancing focus but think twice before playing the music loudly or it may do the opposite of what you hoped. It wouldn’t be worth a listen.