Introduction
Research
has shown that many different factors affect memory. Music is one of
these factors. It has been found to stimulate different parts of the
brain. Many studies have shown that music improves the memory in
patients with Alzheimer's and dementia. It was also found that music
helps reduce stress, helps people relax and improves depression.
Although research has shown that attention, emotion, stress, and
aging all effect memory, my project will focus on the effects of
different types of music on memory.
The goal of my project is to
determine whether or not different types of music affect the memory
of females in grade 8.
My hypotheses is that the
majority will do better with the classical music by Mozart because of
all the research proving how effective classical music (especially
Mozart) is on the memory.
My plan is to test the
memory of females in grade 8 to see what type of music is best for
remembering random objects. Each person will be tested three times,
first with no music, second with classical music and finally with
rap. I will test two people at once, but they will work individually.
The two subjects will listen to the music or sit in silence for two
minutes then they will be presented with a tray of fifteen random
objects. With the music still playing, the subjects will be asked to
look at the tray for one minute and try to remember as many objects
as they can. After one minute I will take away the tray, turn off the
music and ask them to write down as many objects as they can
remember. I will repeat this procedure for each type of music to each
group of people. For each different type of music and for the silence
I will have a different tray of objects.
I decided to do this project
because I am interested in psychology and the effect music has on the
brain. I have an interest in music and it is an important part of my
life.
Music is beneficial to us in
many different ways. The term used to signify the transformational
powers of music in education, health and well-being is called the
Mozart Effect. The Mozart Effect is the general use of music to
reduce stress, depression and anxiety, help people to relax and sleep
and improve the memory. Research of the Mozart Effect was started by
Dr. Alfred Tomatis in the late 1950s. By 1990 its popularity had
grown. Over a hundred centers around the world were using the Mozart
Effect. Recently, researchers have been using classical music
to study its effects on epilepsy.
"Music has charms to soothe a
savage breast, to soften rocks or bend a knotted oak."
&endash;William Congreve, The Mourning Bride
