Thinking Smartly.
How does music help us cognitively?
music in academia and employment
How significant is music?
Music is a common practice that has been around since the start of early human society, it can be found in nature and in the advanced technologies that are produced today and in all types of environments. It is important to wonder what effects does music have on our brain exactly when applied to scenarios that involve increase cognitive demand.
Can music affect academic performance?
Signs of music improving cognitive skills during reading comprehension, mathematical understanding, and memory development have been present in both children and adults and in some studies, students report a significant increase in test scores when calming music is being played during lectures. However, music can also be seen to show negative effects when it comes to upholding attention, as it can often be seen as a huge distraction. In multiple studies it was shown to have mixed results in which some students claimed that the music was a distraction while others claimed that it was beneficial for improving their cognitive abilities to retain information. That being said, music does not work the same for everyone. Music has also proven to show that it can be utilized as a stimulus to recall memories effectively while also showing increased capabilities of retaining memories.
(Landay, 2019)
Music in the workplace
Considering that the quantity of research done on the effectiveness of music in the workplace is very limited, it is shown that office employees who listen to music while during their task have an increase positive outcome on performance and an overall better mood. Reports from employees who were surveyed about the importance of music expressed how music led to an increase in positive customer interactions. Employers also reported that they would use music as a way of showing gratitude and have it act as a reward to help motivate employees which had results to show effectiveness. The improved elevated moods of the employees allowed for the workplace to feel more satisfactory. Examples of music being used as a catalyst to increase productivity in the workplace environment was during World War II in industrial factories. Works admitted that the music was a positive addition for the workplace, but productivity increase was barely significant. That being said, music still has direct ties to emotions and mood.
(Landay, 2019)
Noise versus music
In some cases, music can be utilized as way to counteract harsh white noise emitting from the workplace as a way to positively stimulate the senses rather than to annoy the individual. This can be seen as a positive distraction to keep employees focused on what needs to be done.
(Landay, 2019)
Music rehabilitation
Music-Based Cognitive Rehabilitation
According to a study conducted by the University of Toronto, individuals who undergo Music Attention Control Training (MACT) during recovery from a traumatic brain injury that led to cognitive issues, music has show evidence of improving attention and awareness in adults.
The methodology of the experiment allowed for researchers to have a controlled group of people who attended conventional Attention Process Training (APT) sessions and an experimental group of individuals who participated in MACT during the span of a few weeks.
Conclusions and results indicated that the MACT alternative for rehabilitation for brain cognitive injury had positive results and showed that the individuals who participated in the MACT sessions had higher yield results in test data. Additional discoveries were that patients who conducted in MACT had higher chances of finishing testing while those who only participated in APT had a slight tendency to finish prematurely.
(Jones, 2021)