A new study found that 90 percent of workers perform better when there is music playing. Of this large demographic, 88 percent of participants did work more accurately while music was playing, while another 81 percent completed their work the fastest while music was on.
The study, which had 26 participants, measured one’s ability in a number of different tasks, including data entry, solving math problems, abstract reasoning, and spell-checking. Here are the types of music you should listen to for different tasks or types of work:
Classical Music
Classical music is best to play if you’re solving math problems or need to pay close attention. Compared to no music at all, it improved performance by 12 percent.
Pop Music
Pop music is best to play if you’re doing data entry, or if you’re on a deadline. It was found to be extremely effective in helping get work done quickly, while it also cut mistakes by 14 percent.
Dance Music
Dance music is best to play if you’re doing proofreading and problem-solving. The study found that participants were more accurate in solving equations, spell-checking, and solving tricky math problems. Speed in proofreading was also increased by 20 percent.
Ambient Music
Ambient music saw the greatest increase in accuracy for solving equations.
So, next time that someone looks at you funny because you have earbuds or headphones on, you can take solace in the fact that you have science on your side.
