Classical music for concentration is effective, according to a survey of employees in UK.
Listening to the music of Bach, Beethoven, and other classical singers at work can increase productivity by 15%, based on data gathered from 2,000 employees in UK.
Half of participants revealed they regularly listen to classical music at work. Results show some of the employers encourage classical music for concentration, but others disallow it because it may harm employee performance.
In the study, four office workers transcribed two 600-word sets of lyrics. The first set was transcribed without music, while the other was completed with classical music playing in the background.
British classical music station Scala Radio and psychologist Dr. Becky Spelman set out to determine if background music hurts or hinders workplace efficiency.
In the study, four office workers transcribed two 600-word sets of song lyrics. The first set was transcribed with no music in the background. The first task lasted for an average time of 20 minutes and 59 seconds. The other set, done with classical music, was completed in an average time of 17 minutes and 42 seconds.
“Music has a very powerful impact on the brain. It affects mood, mental performance and physical performance. Many people find that listening to certain types of instrumental music can help them with their productivity levels. The music can function as a sort of ‘white noise’, cancelling out potentially distracting ambient noise", said British classical music station Scala Radio and psychologist Dr. Becky Spelman.
The study also found that many British employees put their headphones first before they sit down at their desks so they can focus or remove distractions. Findings show that a third of the surveyed workers believe they work harder with music in the background, while 40% think they get more work done.
“Provided the music has a calm, regular beat, it can actually help us to stay calm, reducing our stress, slowing our heart rate, and moderating our pulse. This makes it easier for us to focus on the task at hand rather than entering into ‘flight or fight’ mode, in which it can be very difficult to think clearly because of our elevated levels of adrenaline and cortisol", said Dr. Spelman.
