Date of Award

4-24-2020

Document Type

Distinction Paper

Degree Name

Psychology-BA

Department

Psychology

Advisor

Dr. Cynthia Laurie-Rose

First Committee Member

Dr. Cynthia Laurie-Rose

Second Committee Member

Dr. Robert Kraft

Third Committee Member

Dr. Meredith Meyer

Keywords

Workload, Background Music, Sustained Attention, Noise

Subject Categories

Cognition and Perception | Cognitive Psychology | Psychology

Abstract

In the world that we live in that is populated by music many of the places we go, it is important to question how this music could impact our ability to work. This study aimed to observe the relationships between different classifications of background music and performance on a sustained attention task, as well as the perception of workload. 55 participants were randomly assigned to a difficult or easy attention task and to a music condition. Building off of prior research in workload and sustained attention, this study approaches these topics through the lens of stimulating and relaxing background music.

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