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The Effects of Tempo and Language on Human Focus

CSEF · 2008 Behavioral & Social Sciences

Merle L. Howard · Mount Miguel High School, Spring Valley, San Diego County

Overview

Objectives/Goals To find how the tempo and spoken lyrics of songs affect a person's cognition. Methods/Materials I had subjects individually try to perform a task while providing task-irrelevant music. I recorded how long it took a subject to finish a task and how many errors made while completing the task. Results Fast tempo music has no significant effect compared to no music on completion time. Slow music has an inhibiting effect compared to no music on completion time. Language has no significant effect on a person's completion time of a cognitive task. The data for amount errors was inconclusive in all cases. Conclusions/Discussion Music of faster tempo should be listened to if you desire music while performing a cognitive task. Music of a slower tempo should not be listened to in a situation where you wish to complete the task faster.

Summary statement

Speed of music affects a person doing a cognitive task.

Help received

Mr. Linke revised my writings.

Competition history

  • CSEF 2008 Behavioral & Social Sciences · Entry S0309

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