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Study Jams: The Effect of Words in Music on Reading Comprehension

CSEF · 2019 Behavioral & Social Sciences

Anna Chang · Pinole Valley High School, Pinole, Contra Costa County

Overview

Objectives The objective of this study is to determine the effect of music, including the presence of words in music, on reading comprehension in high school students. Methods 3 short reading comprehension quizzes of similar difficulty, 30 test subjects (high school students), 2 audio files. 3 quiz trials per test subject -- each tested while listening to music without words, music with words, or no music. Time per quiz determined by length of audio file (4 minutes) or 4 minute timer for trial without music. Grade quiz questions to measure comprehension. Results Listening to music with words results in the worst reading comprehension. Listening to no music results in the best reading comprehension. Conclusions Multiple trials with different test subjects prove that listening to music with words has a negative effect on reading comprehension. It is concluded that studying with music, especially music with words, is not ideal for the majority of high school students.

Summary statement

I proved that listening to music with words negatively affects reading comprehension.

Help received

None. I designed and performed the experiment independently.

Competition history

  • CSEF 2019 Behavioral & Social Sciences · Entry S0409

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