The Effect of Music Genre on Reaction Time
Introduction
Research into the effect of music tempo on reaction time is abundant, yet there remains a gap in the literature in that the effect of music genre on reaction time has not been widely researched. With an increase in driving accidents in the UK, it is critical that research into why this happens is developed as most drivers listen to music in the car, providing a potential distractor and impacting reaction time. Whilst there is research into factors such as an increase in mobile phones being used on the road, such as findings by Rumschlag et al. (2015) that texting is a particularly significant form of driver distraction that continues to be on the rise, it is also acknowledged there are other significant contributors. A potential contributor would be the music genre playing whilst driving. This could give a more precise way to improve driver safety than the intensity of music as radio stations have different genres and so it could be argued some are safer for driving.
Previous research, such as that conducted by Beh and Hirst (1999) investigates the intensity of music affecting performance, specifically on driving-related tasks. Using a condition of high intensity music, a condition of low intensity music, and a control condition of no music, participants were found to respond faster when music was present, compared to no music at all. Yet, participants responded faster during the low intensity condition than the high intensity condition, suggesting low intensity music may be beneficial in increasing reaction time. On the contrary, whilst looking at modulate neural activity during reactive task performance, Bishop, Wright and Karageorghis (2014) found that music played at a faster tempo induced heightened visuomotor activity, suggesting reaction time would be improved when listening to music with a higher tempo.
Due to a contrast in findings, alongside many studies failing to find any significant effect of music on cognitive performance or motor performance (Beh & Hirst, 1999), research can be extended by looking at the influence of different genres of music on reaction time. This can be used to improve safety whilst driving. Further research that has shown a lack of impact of music on response time is demonstrated by Bellinger, Buddle, Machida, Richardson and Berg (2009), who found whether there was no music, a moderate volume of music, or a high volume of music, response time did not change within a driving scenario. Thus, the impact of music genre may produce more significant findings. It also implies that more research needs to be carried out in order to support or contradict the theory that music has an impact on reaction time.
This study aims to investigate the following hypothesis: participants listening to rock music will have a faster average score on the red light-green light reaction time test compared to participants listening to classical music.
Method
Design
An independent groups design will be used. The Independent Variable (IV) will be the genre of music (two conditions: rock vs. classical). The Dependent Variable will be reaction time, measured by the average score on a red light-green light reaction time test. We will use this to measure as it is a common method used to measure reaction time (Turner, Fernendez & Nelson, 1996). Furthermore, in relation to driving, this method could accurately show reaction time as cars respond to traffic lights turning red, or a brake light being activated. A between-participants experimental design will be used.
Participants
A volunteer sample of 60 Nottingham Trent University students (30 in each condition) aged between 18 and 25 years. There will be 30 males and 30 females used. Any participants with hearing impairments will be excluded from the study.
Materials
A quiet laboratory room with access to computers and noise-cancelling headphones would be required. The computer would have the red light-green light reaction time test (The Online Reaction Time Test, 2002) set up on it. The classical song used would be Reger- ‘A Romantic Suite’ and an instrumental version of ‘Success’ by Iggy Pop.
Procedure
Upon arrival at the laboratory, participants would be randomly allocated into either Condition A (rock music) or Condition B (classical music) by having participants pick either ‘rock’ or ‘classical’ out of a hat so as to ensure it is random and anonymous. Additionally, participants would be given a four-digit code in order for them to withdraw their data at any point during or after the study, protecting their anonymity. From this point, participants will be taken to a quiet laboratory room where an Information Sheet and Consent Form would be presented on the computer screen to ensure fully informed consent is given and participants are aware of what they will be doing within the study (See Apprendix A and B). The researcher would leave the room to avoid investigatory effects. Participants will include their age and gender in the consent form. By clicking continue, the participants are consenting to partaking in the study. Through the headphones the assigned genre of music will play, and the participants will complete the red light-green light reaction time test. The volume of the music will stay constant at 70dBA for all participants. This volume was used in research done by Turner, Fernandez and Nelson (1996), whereby they found this was the volume closest to the average comfort level. The songs would not have lyrics so as to minimise differences by some participants having prior knowledge of the songs, which could provide a heightened distraction. This will repeat five times and an average score will be calculated. Once this has been calculated, the participants would be thanked and a debrief would be given (See Appendix C). The average scores for reaction time would be compared between Condition A and Condition B so as to highlight whether one genre of music impacts reaction time. The results would be statistically analysed to test for significance.
References
Beh, H. C., & Hirst, R. (2010). Performance on driving related tasks during music. Ergonomics, 42(8), 1087-1098.
Bellinger, D. B., Buddle, B. M., Machida, M., Richardson, G, B., & Berg, W. P. (2009). The effect of cellular telephone conversation and music listening on response time in braking. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 12(6), 441-451.
Bishop, D. T., Wright, M. J., & Karageorghis, C. I. (2014). Tempo and intensity of pre-task music modulate neural activity during reactive task performance. Psychology of Music, 42 (5), 714-727.
Rumschlag, G., Palumbo, T., Martin, A., Head, D., George, R., & Commissaris, R. L. (2015). The effects of texting on driving performance in a driving simulator: The Influence of driver age. Accident, Analysis & Prevention, 74, 145-149.
The Online Reaction Time Test. (2002) RED LIGHT- GREEN LIGHT Reaction Time Test. Retrieved from https://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/java/redgreen.html (Accessed 26/10/18)
Turner, M. L., Fernandez, J. E., & Nelson, K. (1996). The Effect of Music Amplitude on the Reaction to Unexpected Visual Events. The Journal of General Psychology, 123(1), 51-62.
Appendix A: Participant Information Sheet
Our names are Emma, Ellie, Francesca, James and Chloe. We are undergraduate students in the Department of Psychology at Nottingham Trent University. We would like to invite you to take part in a short study, there is no obligation to take part and there will be no adverse consequences to your studies if you decide not to participate.
What is the study about?
The aim is to develop our understanding of the effects of different genres of music on reaction time. We are researching this in attempts to improve driver safety as from the findings, it can be suggested which radio stations may be more suitable for safe driving. We will investigate whether listening to rock or classical music affects reaction time.
What does the study involve?
Our study will involve taking part in an online red light-green light reaction time test whilst listening to either rock or classical music. The test will be completed five times. There are no expected discomforts or risks in your participation.
Right to withdraw
Your participation in this study is purely voluntary. If you wish to withdraw at any time, you are free to do so. If you wish to withdraw whilst taking part in the study, you may just leave the room. You may also withdraw your data after taking part in the study. To do this, please email us with your code. You do not have to give a reason for terminating the study. There is a deadline of 07/11/18 for removing your data.
What will happen to data collected?
The data will be handled only by members of the research team, in line with data protection principles and our approved research protocol. Hard copies of research notes are kept in locked filing cabinets, and electronic files are kept on password protected computers which are not accessible to any other university staff. You will not be named or otherwise identified in any publication arising from this study.
Contact details
If you have any further questions or would like more information please contact either . If you have any issues with the way the study was conducted please contact
Appendix B: Informed Consent
Please tick the boxes to confirm you agree with each statement and sign to confirm you have read the information sheet and you give your consent to take part in the study.
I am over the age of 18 years
I understand what this study entails and what its aims are
I am aware I am entitled to withdraw from the study any time I wish
I have been informed there are no expected discomforts or risks involved in my participation
I agree to take part in this study
Please provide your initials and year of birth as a unique identifier (e.g., RS92 if your name is Rob
Smith and you were born in 1992) ______________
Signature _____________________________________________
Date ____________________________________
Appendix C: Debrief
Thank you for participating in this study.
The aim of this study was to find out the impact of listening to different genres of music on reaction time, particularly whether reaction time is improved more whilst listening to rock music or classical music. It was predicted that reaction time will improve whilst listening to rock music more than whilst listening to classical music. You were assigned either the group listening to rock or classical music.
Please let us know if you have any questions. Please remember that you can withdraw your data up to 07/11/18 by emailing us and stating the unique identifier you created earlier in the study.
Thank you very much for taking part.