Effects of Sound on Human’s Short-term Memorization

Abstract

Number of studies reveals that music has an impact on human’s brain and mostly helps us to memorize things. These studies only aim for influences of music on long-term memory helping people to memorize and recalling their recollection better. However, no research nor study regarding effects of music on short-term memory has been conducted. In a very short period, whether hearing music might ruin concentration rather than enhancing attentiveness for the efficiency of memorizing or not. If not, which type of music or sound is more capable in increasing the ability to memorize. These questions lead us to develop online tests (https://lookchinandthegang.wixsite.com/my-site) by using Digit Span Test as a prototype. The tests were adapted to suit our research questions more completely. Several types of background sound were involved in the tests including metronome (100 BPM), alpha wave which people widely use to play in the background while reading, and silent mode. Test takers are a group of teenagers (between 16 and 25 years old) in Thailand. The results illustrate that the average score and the rate of participants’ opinion are nearly identical. Thus, listening to sound while doing the test does not contribute an increase in the efficiency of memorization of participants. Moreover, type of sound is that best to magnify the participants’ ability cannot be identified since there are several opinions regarding listening to sound while doing the test either enhancing the efficiency to memorizing (positive effect) or decreasing the ability of participants to recognize (negative effect) or, indeed, has no impact (neutral effect). To conclude, listening to sound could help increase the effectiveness of short-term memory or not is based on preference of the individuals.