Can listening to music help you concentrate better? Experts say NO
12/01/2019 // Melissa Smith // Views

Many people listen to music while working to help them concentrate and focus on their tasks, but research disagrees with this notion. A study published in the journal Applied Psychology: An International Review revealed that listening to music as you work actually stunts your creativity and keeps you distracted.

In the study, researchers from the University of Gavle in Sweden and the University of Central Lancashire and Lancaster University in the U.K. looked at the effect of background music on performance by giving people "verbal insight problems" that are thought to tap creativity. Background music is an environmental stimulus known to affect cognitive performance, which is said to boost people's creativity for tasks involving spatial abilities like drawing.

"Creativity is a vital aspect of cognition underpinning activities such as innovative product design, scientific advancement, and effective advertising and marketing communications," said lead study researcher Dr. Emma Threadgold, of the University of Central Lancashire.

The study’s participants performed tasks, such as puzzles, either in a quiet environment, or while in one of three environments: listening to instrumental music without lyrics; music with foreign lyrics (or unfamiliar lyrics); or music with familiar lyrics.

In all three conditions that involved listening to music, the researchers observed a strong impairment of verbal working memory compared with no noise or under library conditions. The researchers explained that this could be because library noise is a steady-state of environment, which is not as disruptive.

Brighteon.TV

In addition, the researchers discovered that even when the music improved the mood of the participants, their creativity remained impaired during the tasks. It also did not matter whether the participants usually studied with music in the background.

Taken together, the researchers concluded that background music dramatically impaired the participants’ ability to accomplish tasks testing verbal creativity. The study’s findings challenged the popular belief that music boosts creativity, and instead showed that music consistently impairs creative performance in verbal insight problem-solving.

Other ways that music affects the brain

Music affects the brain in many ways. As mentioned earlier, listening to music did improve the mood of the participants. Other studies also report that music can affect a person's mood. Two experimental studies by researchers from the University of Missouri examined whether listening to upbeat music can increase a person’s feelings of happiness. Both studies found that listening to upbeat music can improve levels of happiness, especially when it is combined with an intention to become happier.

Music also elicits emotions, depending on the type of music. A study published in the Journal of Consumer Research suggested that people tend to listen to music depending on their current emotions, such as listening to melancholic music when they are sad. For many, this serves as an empathetic friend and helps them feel better.

Listening to music also influences pleasure. A study published in the journal Nature Neuroscience revealed that when you listen to music, your brain releases dopamine. This neurotransmitter is linked to reward and motivation. Therefore, listening to music can be pleasurable. The study also found that even the anticipation of listening to music can trigger dopamine release.

Finally, music helps improve mental conditions, such as depression and anxiety, according to a review published in the journal Mental Health Practice. This review suggested that music therapy effectively reduced anxiety and confusion in people with dementia and improved their quality of life. (Related: Music therapy helps reduce depression and increases self-esteem.)

No matter your reason for listening to music, it is an effective brain stimulator. Visit MindBodyScience.news to learn more about the effects of music on cognition.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

EurekAlert.org

Chopra.com

TAndFOnline.com

ScienceDaily.com



Take Action:
Support Natural News by linking to this article from your website.
Permalink to this article:
Copy
Embed article link:
Copy
Reprinting this article:
Non-commercial use is permitted with credit to NaturalNews.com (including a clickable link).
Please contact us for more information.
Free Email Alerts
Get independent news alerts on natural cures, food lab tests, cannabis medicine, science, robotics, drones, privacy and more.
App Store
Android App
eTrust Pro Certified

This site is part of the Natural News Network © 2022 All Rights Reserved. Privacy | Terms All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. Truth Publishing International, LTD. is not responsible for content written by contributing authors. The information on this site is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice of any kind. Truth Publishing assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. Your use of this website indicates your agreement to these terms and those published here. All trademarks, registered trademarks and servicemarks mentioned on this site are the property of their respective owners.

This site uses cookies
Natural News uses cookies to improve your experience on our site. By using this site, you agree to our privacy policy.
Learn More
Close
Get 100% real, uncensored news delivered straight to your inbox
You can unsubscribe at any time. Your email privacy is completely protected.