Effects of Background Music on Anxiety, Satisfaction with Communication, and Productivity

Bibliographic Data

ID13668528
AuthorsDeborah J Blood (Communication Sciences, University of Connecticut, corresponding author), Stephen J Ferriss (Communication Sciences, University of Connecticut)
Year1993
Volume72
Issue1
Pages171-177
Publication date1993-02-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePsychological Reports (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0033-2941 • E-ISSN: 1558-691X
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.2466/pr0.1993.72.1.171
PMID8451350
OpenAlexW2101143808
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited24

Previous research on music's influences has often been nonconclusive, partly because subjective measures have been used for testing opposite conditions such as sedative versus stimulative music or happy versus sad music. Here, background music's influence upon 104 conversants was explored by manipulating the presence of music, and when present, by the more objectively assessed structural elements of mode and speed. Conversations taking place in the presence of background music were rated as more satisfying. Major mode music elicited higher ratings of satisfaction with communication than minor mode. Modality and speed interacted, illustrating the importance of not confounding music's structural elements when testing opposite conditions in studies of the effects of music. While background music did not affect productivity relative to no music, those hearing background music achieved greater productivity when music was in the major mode

Anxiety · Economics · Productivity · Psychiatry · Applied Psychology · Clinical Psychology · Diverse Music Education Insights · Music Therapy and Health · Neuroscience and Music Perception · Psychology

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