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The Effects of 432 Hz vs. 440 Hz

CSEF · 2026 Behavioral & Social Sciences (Senior Division)

Arsalan Amiri

Overview

In my experiment, I investigated the effects of music tuned to 432 Hz versus 440 Hz on short-term memory, emotional state, and relaxation markers in students. Middle school and high school participants ages 12 to 18 sat in a quiet room while I recorded their heart rate, breathing rate, and a 1 to 7 emotion rating. Then, each participant listened to a three-minute song tuned to either 432 Hz or 440 Hz, took an immediate memory test, and then had their measurements taken again. The listening order was mixed, and participants were not told which tuning they heard; some returned another day to complete the other condition. For 432 Hz, the average memory score was 31.02 versus 27.06 for 440 Hz (about 15 percent higher). Heart rate decreased by an average of 5.30 beats per minute with 432 Hz versus 4.54 with 440 Hz, and breathing rate decreased by 2.64 breaths per minute versus 1.66. Emotional ratings increased by 1.56 with 432 Hz versus 0.36 with 440 Hz. In this sample, 432 Hz was linked to greater relaxation and better short-term memory than 440 Hz, suggesting that small tuning differences may influence how the body and brain respond to music.

Competition history

  • CSEF 2026 Behavioral & Social Sciences (Senior Division) · Entry S-03-15

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