Study Habits and Music: How They Affect Attention and ...

Study Habits and Music: How They Affect Attention and Academic Performance A Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts at George Mason University

by

Michael S. Widerman Bachelor of Arts

McDaniel College, 2008

Director: Timothy W. Curby, Professor Department of Psychology

Spring Semester 2013 George Mason University

Fairfax, VA

DEDICATION This is dedicated to my mother, Debra Mancuso, my father, Jeffrey Widerman, and my grandparents, Nicholas and Barbara Boxwell, and Claude and Katherine Widerman for all of their support and love.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank the many friends, relatives, colleagues, and supporters who have made this happen. I would especially like to thank Dr. Tim Curby, Dr. Tyler Shaw, and Dr. Patrick McKnight for all of their guidance and assistance in the process of completing this thesis project. I would also like to include the members of the CENTEC lab in the Human Factors and Cognition department for helping me along the way.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page List of Tables ...................................................................................................................... v List of Figures .................................................................................................................... vi Abstract ............................................................................................................................. vii Approaches to Studying...................................................................................................... 1

Music and Performance................................................................................................... 2 Study Habits .................................................................................................................. 11 Attention........................................................................................................................ 15 Present Study................................................................................................................. 19 Method .............................................................................................................................. 22 Recruitment ................................................................................................................... 22 Participants .................................................................................................................... 23 Measures and Materials................................................................................................. 23 Procedures ..................................................................................................................... 28 Results ........................................................................................................................... 31 Discussion ..................................................................................................................... 42 Limitations .................................................................................................................... 47 Conclusion..................................................................................................................... 49 References......................................................................................................................... 53

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