A microcontroller-facilitated complex span task for examining the effects of background music on working memory capacity
Department
Chemistry
Major
Chemistry - Biochemistry emphasis
Research Advisor
Gerald, Rex
Advisor's Department
Chemistry
Abstract
Participants memorized sequences of colors while listening to background music varying in likeability, type of lyrics, and degree of stimulation. The sequences were randomized and transmitted using a microcontroller with LEDs. It was found that songs that are liked achieved the lowest average serial recall percent accuracy (57.9% ± 6), and songs that participants disliked achieved a higher average (64.4% ± 9) than did those toward which they were apathetic (62.1% ± 11). For three pop songs, a song with English lyrics produced the worst results (57.5% ± 20) while music with no lyrics produced the best (64.6% ± 10). A song in Mandarin achieved intermediate results of 62.7% ± 11. While listening to stimulating music, people achieved an only 59.8% ± 5 in comparison to 65.7% ± 7 for relaxing music. Ongoing efforts to increase the sample size from 14 are expected to improve statistical significance.
Biography
Emily Puleo is a senior at Missouri University of Science and Technology, working on a major in Chemistry with a Biochemistry emphasis and a minor in Communication Studies. She has served as Vice President and President of the iGEM design team and currently works as a tutor at the Writing Center. In her free time, she provides companionship to hospice patients and also volunteers as a pet therapy handler. After graduating in May 2015, Emily plans on pursuing a medical degree.
Research Category
Social Sciences
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Document Type
Poster
Award
Social science poster session, Second place
Location
Upper Atrium/Hall
Presentation Date
15 Apr 2015, 9:00 am - 11:45 am
A microcontroller-facilitated complex span task for examining the effects of background music on working memory capacity
Upper Atrium/Hall
Participants memorized sequences of colors while listening to background music varying in likeability, type of lyrics, and degree of stimulation. The sequences were randomized and transmitted using a microcontroller with LEDs. It was found that songs that are liked achieved the lowest average serial recall percent accuracy (57.9% ± 6), and songs that participants disliked achieved a higher average (64.4% ± 9) than did those toward which they were apathetic (62.1% ± 11). For three pop songs, a song with English lyrics produced the worst results (57.5% ± 20) while music with no lyrics produced the best (64.6% ± 10). A song in Mandarin achieved intermediate results of 62.7% ± 11. While listening to stimulating music, people achieved an only 59.8% ± 5 in comparison to 65.7% ± 7 for relaxing music. Ongoing efforts to increase the sample size from 14 are expected to improve statistical significance.
