University Study: Music's Impact on Cognitive Performance of Students

This report presents a study investigating the impact of music, particularly classical music, on the cognitive performance of students. The study explores the background, problem statement, research aim, objectives, and questions related to the topic. It examines the factors affecting cognitive performance, including upbringing, the nature of music or books consumed, and the level of mental development. The report delves into the effectiveness of classical music over pop music and its impact on cognitive enhancement. It reviews existing literature on cognitive performance, cognition, and cognitive development, highlighting the dynamic nature of cognitive performance and various influencing factors. The study aims to understand the relationship between classical music and cognitive performance and to recommend ways students can enhance their cognitive abilities through music. The literature review covers key concepts and factors influencing cognitive performance, setting the stage for further analysis and discussion on the topic.

Running head: MUSIC AND COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE
A STUDY TO UNDERSTAND THE EFFECT OF MUSIC ON THE COGNITIVE
PERFORMANCE OF THE STUDENTS: A CASE STUDY OF THE EFFECTIVENESS
OF CLASSICAL MUSIC OVER POP MUSIC
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author’s Note:

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Table of Contents
Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................................3
1.1 Introduction.......................................................................................................................3
1.2 Background of the Study...................................................................................................3
1.3 Problem Statement.................................................................................................................3
1.4 Research Aim.........................................................................................................................4
1.5 Research Objectives...............................................................................................................4
1.6 Research Questions................................................................................................................5
1.7 Research Hypotheses.............................................................................................................5
1.8 Significance of the Study.......................................................................................................5
1.9 Structure of the Study............................................................................................................6
1.10 Summary..............................................................................................................................6
Chapter 2: LITERATURE REVIEW..............................................................................................7
2.1 Introduction............................................................................................................................7
2.2 Overview of the concept of Cognitive Performance.............................................................7
2.3 Factors affecting the Cognitive Performance........................................................................8
2.3.1 Upbringing of the individuals.........................................................................................8
2.3.2 Nature of music or books that the individuals read or listen..........................................9
2.3.3 Level of mental development of the individuals............................................................9
2.3.4 Learning abilities of the individuals.............................................................................10

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2.4 Classical Music....................................................................................................................10
2.5 Effectiveness of classical music over pop music.................................................................11
2.6 Impact of classical music on the enhancement of Cognitive Performance.........................12
2.7 Literature Gap......................................................................................................................13
2.8 Summary..............................................................................................................................13
References......................................................................................................................................14

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Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction
The researcher in this chapter highlights the research aim, objectives, questions and other
aspects on which the entire study will be modeled upon. In addition to these, the researcher in a
succinct manner has also highlighted the structure which would be followed for the study as well
as the significance of the study as well.
1.2 Background of the Study
The researcher had decided to undertake the study on the impact of classical music on the
cognitive development of the students since the majority of the students in the present times are
addicted to pop music. However, recent researches have shown that the pop music or other forms
of contemporary music have an adverse effect on the concentration span of the students (Honing
2017). Furthermore, Bennett et al. (2016) have found that soothing nature of the classical music
helps the students to concentrate in a much better manner and thereby is likely to help them to
focus on their studies in an effective manner. More importantly, as discussed by Green (2017),
the classical music helps the students to attain the kind of mood wherein they are being able to
undertake an effective analysis of their emotions and thereby learn new things about themselves
and also about their surroundings. This in turn helps them to enhance their cognitive
performance and it is in particular context that the entire research would be conducted.
1.3 Problem Statement
The major problem for the usage of the classical music so as to enhance the cognitive
performance of the students is the fact the majority of the students in the present times does not
listen to classical music. As a matter of fact, it is seen that presently pop or rock music are more

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in vogue and the majority of the students listen to them almost on a regular basis (Gasenzer,
Kanat and Neugebauer 2017). However, as discussed by Matei and Ginsborg (2017), the pop
music or the rock music do offer entertainment to the students yet the lyrics or the musical notes
which are being used for the composition do not evoke the kind of emotions or responses in the
students that are evoked by classical music. The emotions or the responses evoked by the
classical music are important from the perspective of the enhancement of the cognitive
performance of the students (Jørgensen 2016). Thus, this research will focus on the manner in
which the students can take the help of classical music for the enhancement of their cognitive
performance.
1.4 Research Aim
The aim of the study is to understand the effect of classical music on the cognitive
performance of the students and also to show the effectiveness of classical music over pop music
for the enhancement of the cognitive performance of the students.
1.5 Research Objectives
The research objectives on which the entire study would focus on are listed below-
1. To understand the factors which affect the cognitive performance of the students
2. To evaluate the effectiveness of the classical music in the enhancement of the cognitive
performance of the students over pop music
3. To analyze the relationship between classical music and the cognitive performance of the
students
4. To recommend ways through the students can enhance the level of their cognitive
performance through the usage of classical music

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1.6 Research Questions
The research questions on which the entire study would focus on are listed below-
1. What are the factors which affect the cognitive performance of the students?
2. How classical music is more effective than pop music in the enhancement of the
cognitive performance of the students?
3. What is the relationship between classical music and the cognitive performance of the
students?
4. What are the ways through the students can enhance the level of their cognitive
performance through the usage of classical music?
1.7 Research Hypotheses
HI- Students can improve their cognitive performances by listening to classical music instead of
pop music or no music at all
HO- Students cannot improve their cognitive performances by listening to classical music or pop
music or other kinds of music
1.8 Significance of the Study
The students often struggle to enhance the level of their cognitive performance since the
enhancement of their cognitive performance is greatly dependent on their own emotions or the
responses given to them to their surroundings or other events. However, this research will
illustrate the manner in which the students can take the help of classical music for the
enhancement of their cognitive performance. The research becomes even more important from
the perspective that the students often resort to the usage of pop or rock music for the
enhancement of their cognitive performance which rather than enhancing it often reduce it.

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1.9 Structure of the Study
The researcher will follow the below given structure for the effective completion of the
entire study-
Figure 1: Structure of the Study
Source: (Created by the Author)
1.10 Summary
To sum up, the researcher in this chapter had outlined the different important facets of the
research like research aim, research questions, objectives on which the entire study would focus
on. This chapter would be followed by the chapter “Literature Review”.
Chapter 1 Introduction
Chapter 2 Literature Review
Chapter 3 Research Methodology
Chapter 4 Findings and Discussion
Chapter 5 Conclusion

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Chapter 2: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction
In this chapter, the researcher will take the help of the past secondary literature and the
concepts articulated in them for the purpose of analysis the impact of classical music on the
cognitive performance of the students. In addition to this, the researcher will specifically focus
on the past literature keeping into account the research questions that had been formulated for the
conduct of study.
2.2 Overview of the concept of Cognitive Performance
Tan, Pfordresher and Harré (2017) are of the viewpoint that in order to understand the
concept of cognitive performance the individuals are firstly required to understand the notion of
cognition and the cognitive development. As discussed by Hallam and Council (2015), the term
cognition can be defined as mental ability or the processes through the individuals are able to
acquire new knowledge through the effective utilization of their thought, senses and emotions.
Adding to this, Van Der Maas et al. (2017) have noted that cognitive development refers to the
process of developing the mental processes or the ability of the individuals so that they are being
able to learn new things or skills adequately. More importantly, the concepts of cognition and
cognitive development had become important ones from the perspective of the contemporary
society or the world because of the highly dynamic nature of the same (Lind 2017). This can be
explained on the basis of the fact that the individuals are constantly required to adjust to the
environment in which they dwell by learning or acquiring the desired skills or knowledge
through the effective usage of their emotions, senses and thought (Petersen 2017). It is precisely
here that the concept of cognitive performance of the individuals becomes important.

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According to Nelson (2017), cognitive performance can be defined as the ability or the
capability of the mental processes or the actions of the individuals to learn new things or for that
matter adjust to the environment in which they dwell in a faster manner. However, the major
problem arises because of the fact that the entity of cognitive performance rather than a static one
is a highly dynamic one (Arnett, Chapin and Brownlow 2018). Thus, it is seen that the level of
cognitive performance of one individual varies from another individuals. For example, it had
been seen that some individuals are being able to learn things at a faster rate through the
effective usage of their cognitive abilities in comparison to the others (Mangin, Horwood and
Woodward 2017). As a matter of fact, it is seen that there are various factors which affect the
cognitive performance of the individuals and some of the most important ones in this regard are
listed below-
2.3 Factors affecting the Cognitive Performance
Demetriou, Shayer and Efklides (2016) are of the viewpoint that there are various factors
which affect the cognitive development of the individuals that in turn either positively or
negatively affects the cognitive performance of the individuals. Some of the most important
factors which affect the cognitive performance of the individuals are listed below-
2.3.1 Upbringing of the individuals
As opined by Bjorklund and Causey (2017), one of the most important factors which
directly affects the cognitive development or the cognitive performance of the individuals is the
manner in which they have been brought up or for that matter their upbringing. Cabane, Hille
and Lechner (2016) are of the viewpoint that one of the most important requirements of the
individuals for the effective development of their cognitive development or performance is a
sound upbringing wherein their basic psychosocial needs have been effectively fulfilled. This is

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important since recent researches have clearly shown the fact that the individuals who have been
brought up in an adequate manner with the fulfillment of their basic psychosocial needs are the
ones capable of attaining a higher level of cognitive performance in comparison to others
(Schechner 2017). This can be explained on the basis of the fact that in a safe and congenial
environment the individuals are being able to realize the potential of their mental growth which
in turn is an imperative aspect for the process of cognitive performance or development (Volioti
and Williamon 2017). In the light of these aspects, it can be said that the cognitive performance
of the individuals greatly depends on the manner in which they have been brought up.
2.3.2 Nature of music or books that the individuals read or listen
According to Van der Schyff et al. (2018), the mental growth or for that matter the
cognitive development attained by the individuals is greatly influenced by the kind of books that
they read or the nature of music that they listen. This can be explained on the basis of the fact
that the books or the music requires the individuals to imagine or feel the things that they are
narrating which in turn helps in the mental as well as the emotional development of the
individuals (North, Sheridan and Areni 2016). This as a matter of fact is one of the key
requirements for the effective development of the cognitive abilities of the individuals. Thus, it
can be said that the kind of books that the individuals or the music that the listen to is another
important factor which greatly influences the cognitive performance of the individuals.
2.3.3 Level of mental development of the individuals
Arnett, Chapin and Brownlow (2018) are of the viewpoint that the cognitive development
or performance of the individuals is greatly influenced by the level of mental development. For
example, it is seen that in order to acquire new knowledge or skills the individuals are required to
analyze the same and also interpret the same in the particular context of the past knowledge that

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they have (Hickey et al. 2016). However, this requires the effective development or growth of
the mental abilities or the faculties of the individuals. More importantly, it had been seen that not
all the individuals have the same level of mental growth and this in turn accounts for the
differences in the cognitive performance of the different individuals (Nelson 2017). In the light
of these aspects, it can be said that the level of mental development of the individuals is another
important factor which influences the cognitive performance of the individuals.
2.3.4 Learning abilities of the individuals
According to Lind (2017), the learning abilities of the individuals greatly determine the
speed with which or for that matter the effectiveness with which the individuals would be able to
learn new things. For example, if an individual is a visual learner then it is not very easy for the
concerned individual to reflect upon their surrounding things which in turn can adversely affect
the cognitive development of the individuals. On the score of these aspects, it can be said that the
learning abilities of the individuals are another important factor which greatly influences the
cognitive performance of the individuals.
2.4 Classical Music
Campbell and Scott-Kassner (2018) are of the viewpoint that the term ‘classical music’ is
a very vague one and can refer to any form of music or musical art which is deeply rooted in the
western traditions, be it the secular music or the liturgical music. Thus, it is seen that different
scholars ascribe different dates or time periods to denote or incorporate musical compositions
within the genre of classical music. For example, it is see that there are music critics who
consider the musical works composed in the 18th and 19th centuries to be classical music whereas
there are others who consider the musical works composed prior to that to be belonging to the
genre of classical music (Herbert 2016). However, as discussed by Honing (2017), the term

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‘classical music’ in the present times denote any form of music which had been composed prior
to the 20th century and shows the characteristic musical traits that were dominant in the past. In
addition to these, it had been seen that yet another group of music critics consider the musical
works of Mozart, Chopin, Beethoven and others to be the ones which actually belong to the
genre of classical music because of the characteristic music traits that they show (Jørgensen
2016).
According to Herbert (2016), there are various characteristic traits which differentiate the
classical musical compositions different from the musical works which are composed in the
present times. Bennett et al. (2016) are of the viewpoint that one of the most important features
which distinguish the genre of classical music from the modern musical genres of pop, rock and
others is the fact that they are extremely soothing in nature and also help the individuals to calm
down in a substantial manner. More importantly, it had been seen that the classical musical
compositions are extremely difficult to grasp and requires the individuals to not only reflect on
the same but also to use their mental and emotional faculties for the effective understanding of
the same (North, Sheridan and Areni 2016). However, at the same time it needs to be said that
one of the most important benefits that this particular aspect of the classical music offers to the
individuals is the fact that they help in the effective development of the emotional as well as the
mental faculties of the individuals (Campbell and Scott-Kassner 2018). This in turn helps the
individuals to effectively bring about their cognitive development and thereby improve their
cognitive performance.
2.5 Effectiveness of classical music over pop music
Van der Schyff et al. (2018) have noted that one of the most interesting trends seen
within the contemporary music world is the fact that the genre of classical music is fast loosing