The effects of music on arousal, enjoyment and memory recall

The present study examined the relationship between arousal, enjoyment, and cognitive performance after musical tapping tasks. Participants performed a series of tapping tasks, followed by a few questions about their arousal, enjoyment, and recall of background objects. We assessed the arousal level of each participant before and after the musical task to investigate music-induced arousal. The participants' memory of background items, as well as their enjoyment of the musical activity, were assessed. While arousal and enjoyment levels fluctuate during the musical activities, the arousal change had no significant effect on enjoyment levels. Levels of enjoyment had no significant effect on memory recall. These findings show evidence that refutes the idea that arousal and enjoyment have distinct effects on recall. Instead, the present findings support previous research that enjoyment of the musical experience and musical arousal interplay a critical role in the relationship between...Show moreThe present study examined the relationship between arousal, enjoyment, and cognitive performance after musical tapping tasks. Participants performed a series of tapping tasks, followed by a few questions about their arousal, enjoyment, and recall of background objects. We assessed the arousal level of each participant before and after the musical task to investigate music-induced arousal. The participants' memory of background items, as well as their enjoyment of the musical activity, were assessed. While arousal and enjoyment levels fluctuate during the musical activities, the arousal change had no significant effect on enjoyment levels. Levels of enjoyment had no significant effect on memory recall. These findings show evidence that refutes the idea that arousal and enjoyment have distinct effects on recall. Instead, the present findings support previous research that enjoyment of the musical experience and musical arousal interplay a critical role in the relationship between music induced arousal and memory.Show less

Leiden University Student Repository

Documents

In Collections

The effects of music on arousal, enjoyment and memory recall