You’ve probably heard this before: listening to classical music while studying can help you perform better, increasing your ability to concentrate, or to remember things. Maybe you’ve heard of the “Mozart effect,” the idea that listening to classical music makes you smarter. It’s an interesting thought, and it seems plausible, but is there really any truth to it? Numerous researchers have attempted to study the relationship between music and cognitive abilities, and the results have been mixed. The reality, it seems, is that while listening to classical music may provide benefits, they’re likely minimal at best.
The term “Mozart effect” was popularized by a set of researchers, who, in 1993, conducted a study on the possible benefits of listening to classical music while performing tasks that involve spatial-temporal reasoning. While the actual results of the study suggested only a short-term improvement in that one specific area, the general public came to misinterpret the findings as proof that listening to classical music can make you smarter, which has led to a continuing debate on the benefits of listening to music while studying. Since then, much research has been done on similar topics, including a recent study by a French university. As reported by Allison Engel at USC News, the French study found that students who listened to classical music during a lecture were able to perform better on a quiz on that lecture’s material, suggesting that the presence of music may cause students to pay more attention. Other studies have suggested that listening to classical music can reduce stress, which can help students study better, or even go to sleep faster. While the results of these studies would seem to demonstrate the possible benefits of classical music, it’s important to remember that much more research needs to be done in this area for us to have a more accurate idea of how classical music impacts the brain.
If you’re interested in exploring these ideas for yourself, there are a few things to keep in mind when creating your study playlist. First, research has focused on the role of classical music specifically, so don’t assume that “Shake It Off” will be as effective as, say, the “Moonlight Sonata.” In fact, some research suggests that pop and similar genres can actually hinder your ability to study; music with lyrics can prove distracting, particularly if you’re trying to write a paper or read a textbook. Second, any kind of music (whether classical or not) can hurt more than it helps if it’s too loud, or too musically complex, as these characteristics draw your attention away from your studies and toward the music itself. Your best bet is to find mellow classical music that uses instruments like pianos and strings, rather than big, dramatic orchestral pieces with lots of shifts in volume. Finally, we know that music has the power to alter our emotions, so pick songs that work for you—whatever gets you into studying mode. What works for some may not work for others, so try things out, and see what helps you get into the right mindset.
Ultimately, what research has shown is that there may be benefits to studying with classical music, but those benefits may be minor (if they exist at all). To maximize your chances of obtaining any of those possible benefits, it’s important to think about not just what kind of music you select, but what kinds of tasks you’re aiming to complete. By choosing the right music for the right activity, you might just be able to study more effectively.
