Background music varying in tempo and emotional valence differentially affects cognitive task performance: experimental within-participant comparison

Abstract

The degree of stimulation provided by background music appears to affect performance on cognitive tasks. Moreover, individual differences influence what degree of stimulation is beneficial or detrimental. In a within-subject design, 40 participants (Mean Age: 26.15, SD: 2.99) completed cognitive tasks (immediate and delayed recall, phonemic fluency, trail-making) under varying (2 tempi: fast/slow×2 valences: positive/negative) musical background conditions. Further, they completed questionnaires on individual differences (extraversion, noise sensitivity, annoyance/distraction by background noise). Performance was assessed using analyses of variance and mixed-effect models. Sensitivity analyses adjusted for stimulus liking and further individual characteristics. Fast (vs. slow) tempo was associated with better immediate recall (p = .002, η2 = .08) and phonemic fluency (p < .001, η2 = .16). Positive (vs. negative) valence was also associated with better immediate recall (p < .001, η2 = .10) and phonemic fluency (p < .001, η2 = .10). The association of positive valence with phonemic fluency was attenuated in those with above average Annoyance/Distraction by Background Noise. The latter also had a slower performance in the trail making test under positive background music. The association of fast tempo with verbal fluency was stronger among those scoring high in Noise Sensitivity. Overall, our results suggest that, with regard to concurrent cognitive performance, fast tempo, positively valenced background music is preferable over slow, negatively valenced background music. A deeper understanding of inter-individual differences could allow further individualisation of background music for cognitive task performance.