For my second blog post, I thought it would be interesting to look at how and why certain types of music can have an impact on people’s emotions and ability to focus on tasks. Research has found that, while they may not work for everyone, certain forms of music are often particularly beneficial for specific tasks. For example, classical or instrumental music can be helpful for studying. Studying various topics can be a stressful activity for many, and stress can impact people’s memory in ways that make studying and retaining information difficult. Studies about some types of music have shown that the sounds produced can help lower stress levels, leading to increased concentration. Classical, ambient, or instrumental music, in particular, can lack the more distracting lyrics that evoke other emotions. When the listener processes the slower speed and rhythm of the music, they often interpret it as soothing and calming, which can help alleviate some of the stress they’re feeling. Below is an example of this type of music.
As shown in the video, the music’s tone is soft and consistent, two features that can potentially prevent the listener from getting too distracted while trying to concentrate. The music can almost feel like a natural part of the environment the person is currently in. However, for some, these specific sounds may not have much of an impact. In fact, sometimes, other background noises that don’t involve music may benefit people.
Meanwhile, music with lyrics has been found to commonly interfere with people’s ability to study. Their minds may try to focus on the words they’re hearing and the song’s tone may change more frequently. Overall, this shows how music and other sounds can influence different individuals.
Interestingly, some studies suggest that forms of music that often evoke happy or positive emotions can impact some people’s creativity. These are not necessarily classical or soft forms of music, but they’re often any music that triggers a release of chemicals in the brain that cause happiness and pleasure. This can result in the brain being stimulated and the listener being able to come up with new and creative ideas for what they’re trying to accomplish.