Music and the Workplace

Paper Summary:

To understand the question as to whether or not music has an effect upon performance in the workplace one must understand that music can and does have an effect (both positive and negative) upon the performance of anyone in any environment. Many studies have been completed that highlight the effects of music production upon the long-term educational process, of music listening and the types of music listened to on laboratory animals, adults, children, and even agricultural crops and house-plants. These studies have provided for a general consensus that music, the right music at the right volume, can help people relax, focus more intently upon their tasks, absorb material and information at a higher rate, and be, in general, more productive. The problem is, however, that what is and what is not conducive to work environments depends wholly upon the type of work being done, the personalities of the workers, and the level of flexibility offered by the employer in relation to the playing / listening to and of music while at work. What we can derive from these studies is that most businesses that do not require their workers to be in a constant state of intense communication that requires full attention for give and take in the conversation (i.e. phone service-related employees) that do provide for music in the workplace will find that workers are more prone to be productive. But, there is a caveat as stated previously - it depends upon the music itself and the relative receptiveness of the audience as to whether or not mass-music is appropriate or if individualized (i.e. headphones or speakers playing quietly at a desk) music playing is better. The wrong music / personality combination can result in negative results, greater levels of frustration and irritation, and lower levels of productivity.

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