Music and Cognition: How to Keep the Brain on Beat

Music, as the conversion of words and sounds into expressive art, has been often used as a form of catharsis or emotional regulation. While research on common mood outcomes from music exists, further examination is necessary, as this knowledge, once fully understood, can be applied beyond music therapy, and be utilized to enhance our cognitive efficiency. Current research includes Music Mood Theory, which suggests that music has a meaningful impact on our moods, which correlate with behaviors such as maintaining tempo and harmony (Hu, 2010). The purpose of this study was to establish a deeper perspective on the impact music has on one’s psychology and learn the extent of its effects on one’s cognitive abilities. Data was gathered through a Qualtrics survey, through which participants were instructed to listen to songs intended to prime their moods, before having them complete exams for memory and cognitive reasoning. While the results did not find any statistically significant outcomes, there are noteworthy implications to glean from this study. There is currently a lack of verifiably valid and reliable studies focused on the interaction between music and psychology, and what currently exists is not feasible without the funding for a longitudinal study. This study seeks to draw attention to the research gap in this subfield, and set the groundwork for future endeavors in testing a potentially potent mental reinforcer.