The influence of relaxation music on abstract visual short term memory retrieval task

Summary:

The study is focused on highlighting the influence of relaxation music on correct and incorrect visual memory retrieval process using abstract figures. The method Chraif used were 68 undergraduate students, aged between 19 and 23 years old. Chraif explains that visual short term memory is distinct from the long-term by quickly creating representations, a variety of images that are stored for a period of 20-50 ms/item. Visual thresholds relate to the period in which visual analyzer can consciously perceive visual stimuli received with specialized receptors factors influencing the visual differential threshold are lighting the eye in the previous time. Musicians can store entire repertoire, complex songs to support the whole concert. Chraif's hypotheses was:

- The relaxation music has a statistically significant influence on differences between incorrect and correct answers for visual memory retrieval process using abstract figures.

- The relaxation music has a statistically significant influence on incorrect answers for visual memory retrieval process using abstract figures.

- The relaxation music has a statistically significant influence on correct answers for visual memory retrieval process using abstract figures.

The overall results highlight that the sum of incorrect "yes" answers were statistically significant lower for the experimental group expose to relaxation music than the control group. Chraif's conclusion was that listening to relaxation music does not have a significant effect in increasing the number of incorrect abstract form recognition stimuli in visual abstract forms memory retrieval as difference between the correct and incorrect answers/scores. This research proves that relaxation music has an important effect in increasing the correct answers to stimuli in visual recognition and could be important stimuli for increasing performances in in all the activities based on abstract visual memory recognition tasks during abstract forms retrieval process.

Reflection:

This research is interesting in that listening to relaxation music does not have a significant effect in increasing the number of incorrect abstract form recognition stimuli in visual abstract forms memory retrieval as difference between the correct and incorrect answers/scores. I have always thought to believe that the best way to remember facts might be to set them to music. People have long used rhymes and songs to help master vast quantities of information and I believe that listening to music creates a rhythm in our brain to assist the memorization of information in a structural manner. 

This reminds of a quote from the book "Memory in Oral Traditions" by cognitive scientist David Rubin notes, “Oral traditions depend on human memory for their preservation. If a tradition is to survive, it must be stored in one person’s memory and be passed on to another person who is also capable of storing and retelling it. All this must occur over many generations…Oral traditions must, therefore, have developed forms of organization and strategies to decrease the changes that human memory imposes on the more casual transmission of verbal material.” These strategies are tales that last for many generations and tend to describe concrete actions rather than abstract concepts. They use powerful visual images. They are sung or chanted. And they employ patterns of sound: alliteration, assonance, repetition and, most of all, rhyme. Many teachers in elementary schools are using song to help teach certain materials. This research shows that music has a significant effect in increasing the number of correct abstract form recognition. It is very useful for a wide variety of learning development theories!

References:

Chrai, Mihaela. "The Influence of Relaxation Music on Abstract Visual Short Term Memory Retrieval Task at Young Students at Psychology." Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences 127 (2014): 852 – 857. Print.

Rubin, David C. Memory in Oral Traditions the Cognitive Psychology of Epic, Ballads, and Counting-out Rhymes. New York: Oxford UP, 1995. 185. Print.