Music and Its Effect on Cognitive Ability
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Sophomore
Major
Psychology
Minor
Organizational Communication
2nd Student Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
2nd Student Major
Psychology
2nd Student Minor
Cognitive Science
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Esther Malm, PhD
Presentation Format
Oral Presentation
Abstract/Description
This study will be looking at a question involving Gender and Music Choice and if it has an influence on cognitive abilities. There have been previous studies regarding music and cognitive performance on tasks, however they all seem to have mixed results, in some cases it has a positive effect (Rauscher et al., 1993), in some it has a negative effect (Dobbs et al., 2011), as well as having no effect at all (Lehmann & Seufert, 2017). We are collecting our data through SONA as well as flyers posted around the campus. We hope to discover more about how college students study and the impact it has on their grades. The demographic for the study will consist primarily of 18 to 25 year old students at Murray State University. The dependent variables in this study focus on how an individual scores on a working memory task and how long it takes to complete said task. The independent variables will look at two different types of music that participants will be listening to in the background during the task, Lyrical and Instrumental. We expect a sample size of 60 and the IRB has approved our study. Data collection is still ongoing and the findings will be presented at Scholar’s Week. With this information, our findings will assist us in discovering helpful study tips to offer to students, whether that be if they should study with or without music.
Spring Scholars Week 2026
Psychology: Projects In-Progress
Music and Its Effect on Cognitive Ability
This study will be looking at a question involving Gender and Music Choice and if it has an influence on cognitive abilities. There have been previous studies regarding music and cognitive performance on tasks, however they all seem to have mixed results, in some cases it has a positive effect (Rauscher et al., 1993), in some it has a negative effect (Dobbs et al., 2011), as well as having no effect at all (Lehmann & Seufert, 2017). We are collecting our data through SONA as well as flyers posted around the campus. We hope to discover more about how college students study and the impact it has on their grades. The demographic for the study will consist primarily of 18 to 25 year old students at Murray State University. The dependent variables in this study focus on how an individual scores on a working memory task and how long it takes to complete said task. The independent variables will look at two different types of music that participants will be listening to in the background during the task, Lyrical and Instrumental. We expect a sample size of 60 and the IRB has approved our study. Data collection is still ongoing and the findings will be presented at Scholar’s Week. With this information, our findings will assist us in discovering helpful study tips to offer to students, whether that be if they should study with or without music.