Honors Theses
Date of Award
2019
Document Type
Undergraduate Thesis
Department
Teacher Education
First Advisor
Roy Thurston
Relational Format
Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract
This thesis examines the use of musical influence on the brain with an emphasis on the effects on cognitive mindset and learning in mathematics education. It explores the idea of the use of different trials and methods to potentially unlock new knowledge about the brain through listening to music during in-class group work, individual work, and class assessments. It allows for an analysis of the music’s effect on the brain and creates discussion in multiple classrooms and age groups through the eyes of a participant observer in an ethnographic research scenario. By analyzing behaviors of body language, musical taste and stimulation of the students, I demonstrate that music affects the students’ perceptions of their course load, grades and overall attitude in the math courses in which they are participants. With the duration of the research spanning a year, I observed many groups of students, polled thousands on social media, and interviewed multiple administrators that have incorporated music into their daily routine inside and outside of the classroom. Results of the research exemplify that music has an effect on the brain, both positive and negative, but inside the classroom is a special case because of awareness and musical choice when the students’ minds are the most focused. With the assistance of colleagues, I was able to construct a musical arrangement to utilize in class by studying what motivates students to work and learn. In conclusion, I decided that the right song can motivate and catalyze the learning process and memorization, but the wrong song can have the opposite effect which is apparent when reviewing grades over a period of time.
Recommended Citation
Lipsey, Allysa N., "This is Your Brain on Music: The Study of Musical Influence on the Cognitive Mindset and Learning" (2019). Honors Theses. 1082.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/hon_thesis/1082
Accessibility Status
Searchable text