The Surprising Psychological Benefits of Listening to Music
Music Can Improve Your Memory
Many students enjoy listening to music while studying, but is that a great idea? Some feel like listening to their favorite music as they study improves memory, while others contend that it simply serves as a pleasant distraction.
It may help, but it also depends upon various factors, including the type of music, the listener’s enjoyment of that music, and even how musically well-trained the listener may be.
In one study, musically naive students learned better when listening to positive music, possibly because these songs elicited more positive emotions without interfering with memory formation.
However, musically trained students tended to perform better on learning tests when they listened to neutral music, possibly because this type of music was less distracting and easier to ignore.
If you find yourself distracted by music, you may be better off learning in silence or with neutral tracks playing in the background.
Research on the effects of music on learning is mixed. While students often report that they find it helpful, study results often suggest that it can be distracting, particularly music with lyrics. However, listening to instrumental background music may have some benefits.
One study found that participants learning a new language showed improvement in their knowledge and abilities when they practiced singing new words and phrases versus just regular speaking or rhythmic speaking.
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