Psychology: Music Influence on Cognition

Research Paper (undergraduate) from the year 2012 in the subject Psychology - General, grade: 2:1, South Bank University London (LSBU-AHS), course: Psychology, language: English, abstract: The current study examines the influence of music on cognitive ability. Participants performed a series of maze tasks and Ravens Matrices tests under variable conditions,accompanied by music classified as either stimulating or sedative. The musical pieces chosen were both classical: Beethoven's 'Moonlight Sonata' (sedative) and Vivaldi's 'Spring' (stimulating). There were 60 participants in total (N-60) out of whom 37 were females and 23male participants. These formed four different condition groups, each with 15 participants. The frustration (F) group, with unsolvable mazes, were played either sedative or stimulating music. Likewise, the Non-frustration (NF) group, with solvable mazes, was also played either of the music types. It was predicted that sedative music would have a more relaxing effect onparticipants after a frustration condition, compared to the stimulating music. Furthermore, as predicted, both music styles reduced anxiety levels, corresponding to better scores on the Ravens Matrices. The Ravens Matrices mean scores were higher for the frustration condition, indicating that frustrating situations can actually produce better IQ results if combined withthe right music type. The findings indicate a strong connection between music and cognitive performance.

Product details

• Authors: Sandra Larsen, Sandra Ockba
• Publisher: Grin Verlag
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 15.04.2013
• EAN: 9783656407379
• ISBN: 978-3-656-40737-9
• No. of pages: 28
• Dimensions: 148 mm x 3 mm x 3 mm
• Weight: 56 g
• Illustrations: 2 Farbabb.
• Series: Akademische Schriftenreihe; Akademische Schriftenreihe Bd. V212342; Akademische Schriftenreihe; Akademische Schriftenreihe Bd. V212342
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Psychology > General, dictionaries; Non-fiction book > Psychology, esoterics, spirituality, anthroposophy > Psychology: general, reference works