How Music Genre Affects Memory Retention & Physiological Indicators of Stress
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Date
2019Author
Buerger-Cole, Haley
Agyemang, Stephen
Cotting, Galen
Joottu, Shilpa
Vetter, Katerina
Publisher
Journal of Advanced Student Sciences (JASS)
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Understanding which genre of music helps students attain the right amount of stress to
perform at their best capability is essential to their success in school. Different genres of music
have been suggested to alter physiological indicators of stress and the ability to recall
information, yet it is debated as to which genre produces positive effects associated with stress
and memory. This study investigated the difference between rap and classical music on the
physiological stress response using heart rate, respiration rate, and blood pressure, as well as the
memory retention abilities of each study participant. Respiration rate (RR), heart rate (HR), and
blood pressure (BP) were measured while participants filled out a survey with no music as a
baseline, followed by a written exam with rap or classical music playing throughout. A follow-up
retention test was conducted two weeks later where the same written exam was administered
over the same amount of allotted time, with no music playing. We hypothesized that rap music
would increase the physiological indicators of stress, while classical music would decrease the
indicators of stress. In addition, we hypothesized that participants who listened to classical
music, in comparison to rap music, while performing the first written exam would have better
scores and memory retention on the follow-up exam. Our results concluded no significant
difference between the two test groups in any physiological variable of stress. In terms of first
and second exam performance or improvement scores, there was no statistically significant
difference between the rap group compared with the classical group. However, both groups did
have significant memory retention improvement scores. These conclusions do not support our
hypothesis. Further studies could test if different genres of music have an effect on any of the
variables, if studying with music versus without music has an effect, or if getting a more varied
range of participants could impact the results.
Subject
Blood Pressure
Heart Rate
Respiration Rate
Memory Retention
Music
Classical
Rap
Studying
Stress
Relaxation
Written Exam
Permanent Link
http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/81993Description
An article that appeared in JASS, issue 2019