Research Article | | Peer-Reviewed

The Harmonious Balance: Exploring the Impact of Music on Concentration and Academic Performance Among Cairo University Students

Received: 1 October 2024     Accepted: 22 October 2024     Published: 26 November 2024
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Abstract

This study investigates the intricate relationship between music listening habits and the concentration and academic performance of Cairo University students. Building on established research, including the well-known "Mozart effect," we examine both the potential benefits and drawbacks of integrating music into study routines. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, we distributed quantitative surveys to 200 students and conducted qualitative interviews to gain deeper insights. The study focuses on key areas: frequency of music listening while studying, preferred genres, and perceptions of music's effects on focus, stress reduction, and overall academic performance. Our findings reveal that while certain genres, such as classical music, significantly enhance concentration and reduce anxiety, others may prove distracting, underscoring the importance of personal preferences in music selection. By correlating students’ perspectives with historical and contemporary research, this study elucidates how various music genres influence cognitive processes and learning outcomes. The results offer actionable strategies for both educators and students to optimize learning environments and enhance academic success, ultimately contributing to a better understanding of music's role in educational contexts. This research underscores the need for a tailored approach to music in study routines, advocating for informed choices that align with individual learning styles to foster a harmonious balance between music and academic performance.

Published in Science Journal of Education (Volume 12, Issue 6)
DOI 10.11648/j.sjedu.20241206.13
Page(s) 130-140
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Music Listening Habits, Concentration and Academic Performance, Mozart Effect, Mixed-Methods Research, Cognitive Processes

References
[1] Ead, Hamed, A., (2024), Exploring the Intersection of Science and Music Through Ancient Civilizations to the Present, 2024-5856-AJHIS.
[2] Al-Hafni, Mahmoud Ahmed, Theoretical Music, 1946, Retrieved from:
[3] Boutros, Naima Sadiq, The Scientific Structure of Tonal Agreements in Arabic Music, PhD Thesis, 1987, Retrieved from:
[4] Holton, G. (2012). Einstein and the poet. New York: Norton.
[5] Heisenberg, W. (1971). Physics and beyond. New York: Harper & Row.
[6] Planck, M. (1950). Where is science going? New York: E.P. Dutton.
[7] Südhof, T. (2013). Nobel Lecture. Retrieved from [Nobel Prize Website] (This replaces conference paper reference).
[8] Wikimedia Foundation. Frances Arnold. Available from:
[9] Nobel Media AB. The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1983 - Summary. Available from:
[10] Sörqvist, P., & Marsh, J. (2015). The effects of background music on attention and performance: A review. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 2015, Vol. 24(4) 267–272.
[11] Sju, W., & Lutmer, P. (2018). The impact of music on studying ability in college students. Retrieved from
[12] Schäfer T (2016) The Goals and Effects of Music Listening and Their Relationship to the Strength of Music Preference. PLoS ONE 11(3): e0151634.
[13] Lesiuk, T. (2005). The effect of music listening on work performance. Psychology of Music, 33(2), 173–191.
[14] Ali, A., Smith, B., & Johnson, C. (2013). Factors influencing student learning and performance. Journal of Educational Research, 45(2), 123-134. (This replaces the similar reference Ali, A., et al. (2013). Factors affecting academic performance of students.)
[15] Hallam, S., Ivaldi, A., & Parncutt, R. (2002). The effects of background music on primary school pupils’ task performance. Educational Studies, 28(3), 235-246.
Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Ead, H. A., Abdelrahman, N. A., Hassan, Y. A. (2024). The Harmonious Balance: Exploring the Impact of Music on Concentration and Academic Performance Among Cairo University Students. Science Journal of Education, 12(6), 130-140. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjedu.20241206.13

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    ACS Style

    Ead, H. A.; Abdelrahman, N. A.; Hassan, Y. A. The Harmonious Balance: Exploring the Impact of Music on Concentration and Academic Performance Among Cairo University Students. Sci. J. Educ. 2024, 12(6), 130-140. doi: 10.11648/j.sjedu.20241206.13

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    AMA Style

    Ead HA, Abdelrahman NA, Hassan YA. The Harmonious Balance: Exploring the Impact of Music on Concentration and Academic Performance Among Cairo University Students. Sci J Educ. 2024;12(6):130-140. doi: 10.11648/j.sjedu.20241206.13

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  • @article{10.11648/j.sjedu.20241206.13,
      author = {Hamed Abdelreheem Ead and Neama Ahmed Abdelrahman and Yasmine Ashraf Hassan},
      title = {The Harmonious Balance: Exploring the Impact of Music on Concentration and Academic Performance Among Cairo University Students
    },
      journal = {Science Journal of Education},
      volume = {12},
      number = {6},
      pages = {130-140},
      doi = {10.11648/j.sjedu.20241206.13},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjedu.20241206.13},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.sjedu.20241206.13},
      abstract = {This study investigates the intricate relationship between music listening habits and the concentration and academic performance of Cairo University students. Building on established research, including the well-known "Mozart effect," we examine both the potential benefits and drawbacks of integrating music into study routines. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, we distributed quantitative surveys to 200 students and conducted qualitative interviews to gain deeper insights. The study focuses on key areas: frequency of music listening while studying, preferred genres, and perceptions of music's effects on focus, stress reduction, and overall academic performance. Our findings reveal that while certain genres, such as classical music, significantly enhance concentration and reduce anxiety, others may prove distracting, underscoring the importance of personal preferences in music selection. By correlating students’ perspectives with historical and contemporary research, this study elucidates how various music genres influence cognitive processes and learning outcomes. The results offer actionable strategies for both educators and students to optimize learning environments and enhance academic success, ultimately contributing to a better understanding of music's role in educational contexts. This research underscores the need for a tailored approach to music in study routines, advocating for informed choices that align with individual learning styles to foster a harmonious balance between music and academic performance.
    },
     year = {2024}
    }
    

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    AU  - Hamed Abdelreheem Ead
    AU  - Neama Ahmed Abdelrahman
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    AB  - This study investigates the intricate relationship between music listening habits and the concentration and academic performance of Cairo University students. Building on established research, including the well-known "Mozart effect," we examine both the potential benefits and drawbacks of integrating music into study routines. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, we distributed quantitative surveys to 200 students and conducted qualitative interviews to gain deeper insights. The study focuses on key areas: frequency of music listening while studying, preferred genres, and perceptions of music's effects on focus, stress reduction, and overall academic performance. Our findings reveal that while certain genres, such as classical music, significantly enhance concentration and reduce anxiety, others may prove distracting, underscoring the importance of personal preferences in music selection. By correlating students’ perspectives with historical and contemporary research, this study elucidates how various music genres influence cognitive processes and learning outcomes. The results offer actionable strategies for both educators and students to optimize learning environments and enhance academic success, ultimately contributing to a better understanding of music's role in educational contexts. This research underscores the need for a tailored approach to music in study routines, advocating for informed choices that align with individual learning styles to foster a harmonious balance between music and academic performance.
    
    VL  - 12
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