Sherry+Bao

Experimental Proposal

The effect of the tempo (bpm) of music on memory.

Purpose: The purpose of this experiment is to find out the effect of differing tempos of music on memory retention

Hypothesis: If the bpm increases, then the quantity and quality of memory will decrease.
 * You may want to specify what bpm you'll start with...what is the lowest bpm music that is typical?? **

Materials: 4 groups of testers, around 30 people per group (can cut down on number of testers) (insert musical piece) played at 3 speeds : 60bpm, 165bpm, 130bpm

__Memory Test__: list of 30 words shown with 2 minutes to memorize (by rote), then have testers write down the words they remember
 * Do you have your list of words? Could you share this? **

__Visual Memory Test (may or may not include)__ : page of non-related pictures shown w/ 2 min. to memorize, testers write down what they remember

Procedure (in progress) ** Where are you getting your participants??? **

1. Four groups of testers, A, B, C, D 2. Group A, control group, will take the memory test (see above) while listening to white noise ** What is white noise?? ** 3. Group B will take memory test while listening to (insert musical piece) at 60 bpm 4. Group C will take memory test while listening to (insert musical piece) at 165 bpm 5. Group D will take memory test while listening to (insert musical piece) at 130 bpm

[] ( model procedure )

[] http://clearinghouse.missouriwestern.edu/manuscripts/230.php http://www.emedexpert.com/tips/music.shtml http://www.science20.com/news_articles/music_improves_memory_alzheimers_patients


 * Define memory
 * Sensory, short-term, long-term
 * role of the hippocampus
 * Effects of music/ experiments by others
 * "Mozart effect"
 * tempo theory
 * Pennsylvania State University
 * Dr. Lozanov, foreign language
 * Studies on memory improvement for people w/ alzheimer's
 * Music engages both sides of the brain


 * You may also want to include something about music in relation to bpm. Explain what beats per minute mean and give possible examples of common songs at those particular bpm's. **