Can music improve productivity or distract us? New insights suggest its impact may depend on the balance between familiarity and surprise.
A Georgia Tech study looked at how different types of music affect productivity at work. As reported by Fast Company, the results of this study showed the impact of music’s predictability and novelty on cognitive performance.
Researchers found that predictable and familiar music increased participants’ ability to process and retain new information. However, music with unexpected atonal elements created challenges and disrupted cognitive clarity. However, newness in music also has its advantages. Music with surprising or unpredictable elements may prevent boredom, especially during long hours of work.
“These early studies reveal that music can either help or hinder our memory, depending on its familiarity and structure,” said Dr. Iren Ren, lead author of two research papers on how this affects cognitive ability, said in a statement:
Ren recommended music with lyrics in a foreign language, or music without lyrics, for tasks where verbal processing is important, such as composing messages. Ultimately, while music can increase productivity, research suggests that the absence of music may sometimes be the most effective option for optimal concentration. I did.
Scientists have been studying the role of music on productivity for decades. A meta-analysis found that background music negatively impacts reading comprehension and memory. Yet another study shows that music can improve cognitive abilities.
Many people listen to music while working, and some songs have become particularly popular for that purpose. Take January’s study, which is clearly not scientifically rigorous. Academic support platform EduBirdie analyzed Spotify’s 50 most popular productivity playlists to find out which songs are most popular among people looking to get work done.
The most popular single by number of playlists (6) is Dua Lipa’s “Levitating,” followed by Bruno Mars’ “Just the Way You Are,” The Neighborhood’s “Sweater Weather,” and Olivia Rodrigo’s “Vampire.” .
A similar study conducted in November by TollFreeForwarding.com looked at 4,000 work-focused Spotify playlists and found a different list. The top five songs are Train’s “Drops of Jupiter,” Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams,” Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’,” The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights,” and Harry Styles’ “Watermelon.” It was “Sugar”.
Overall, most consumers stream music at least some of the time, according to this year’s PYMNTS Intelligence How the World Digitizes study. The report, based on a survey of more than 67,000 consumers across 11 countries, showed that 60% of consumers stream music at least once a month. Additionally, 27% do so every day.
Employers are looking for ways to create a work environment that fosters increased productivity. For example, consider a company deploying smart pods to designate spaces for privacy within shared offices. Additionally, technology providers like Comfy and Groove are offering tools to bridge the gap between remote and office work.
As music continues to be a popular companion in the workplace, its impact on productivity is becoming increasingly apparent. The balance between predictability and novelty seems to determine whether it helps or hinders concentration, and different types of tasks may require different types of music. A growing body of research reveals that music’s role in enhancing or destroying productivity is not uniform.
