Category
Three-Minute Thesis
Description
Music has been shown to increase our ability to retain and recall information. This study attempts to expand the scientific knowledge in this area of study and seeks more efficient and effective genres and frequencies of music for increasing memory retention. In a world filled with those seeking knowledge and an ability to retain and use said knowledge to enhance their lives and the world around them, a method of enhancing their ability to do so would be revolutionary. Music is a powerful tool for relaxation, focus, and memory, but what if the way it is tuned is adversely affecting these factors? This study aims to answer that question. Does listening to music tuned to 432Hz increase memory retention? The electrical activity of 32 individuals' brains was measured using AD Instruments EEG Electro Cap after following IRB approval (2 of which were omitted, leaving 30 total viable participants). The subjects listened to each song for 60 seconds at 432Hz and 440Hz for each of the three genres, with a word list of 5 words that repeated three total times during the 60 seconds in intervals of 4 seconds. There was a statistically significant increase in memory retention based on genre, F(1.837-34.904) = 6.141, p=.006, partial ¿2=.244. : There was a statistically significant increase in memory retention when comparing music played at 440 Hz (3.917 ± .167) compared to 432 Hz (4.267 ± .167) with a mean difference of .350 ( 95% CI, .132 to .568). (F(1-19) = 11.338, p < .003, partial ¿2=.374.) We found that listening to music tuned to 432Hz for two of the three genres we tested (folk and jazz) increased overall memory retention and recall. There was no statistically significant difference in genre and frequency interaction on memory retention, F(1.405-26.696) =3.556, p=.057, partial ¿2=.158. Therefore, simple main effects were run. Our results show a relationship between memory retention and genre and frequency. A frequency of 432 Hz led to an increase in the participants' ability to recall information.
Music Enhances Theta Brainwave Activity Regardless of Tuning Frequency
Three-Minute Thesis
Music has been shown to increase our ability to retain and recall information. This study attempts to expand the scientific knowledge in this area of study and seeks more efficient and effective genres and frequencies of music for increasing memory retention. In a world filled with those seeking knowledge and an ability to retain and use said knowledge to enhance their lives and the world around them, a method of enhancing their ability to do so would be revolutionary. Music is a powerful tool for relaxation, focus, and memory, but what if the way it is tuned is adversely affecting these factors? This study aims to answer that question. Does listening to music tuned to 432Hz increase memory retention? The electrical activity of 32 individuals' brains was measured using AD Instruments EEG Electro Cap after following IRB approval (2 of which were omitted, leaving 30 total viable participants). The subjects listened to each song for 60 seconds at 432Hz and 440Hz for each of the three genres, with a word list of 5 words that repeated three total times during the 60 seconds in intervals of 4 seconds. There was a statistically significant increase in memory retention based on genre, F(1.837-34.904) = 6.141, p=.006, partial ¿2=.244. : There was a statistically significant increase in memory retention when comparing music played at 440 Hz (3.917 ± .167) compared to 432 Hz (4.267 ± .167) with a mean difference of .350 ( 95% CI, .132 to .568). (F(1-19) = 11.338, p < .003, partial ¿2=.374.) We found that listening to music tuned to 432Hz for two of the three genres we tested (folk and jazz) increased overall memory retention and recall. There was no statistically significant difference in genre and frequency interaction on memory retention, F(1.405-26.696) =3.556, p=.057, partial ¿2=.158. Therefore, simple main effects were run. Our results show a relationship between memory retention and genre and frequency. A frequency of 432 Hz led to an increase in the participants' ability to recall information.
