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Does music affect your brain differently for problem-solving versus writing?
Question Date: 2012-01-03
Answer 1:

Different music affects my brain differently! That's what's most obvious to me. When I'm doing difficult writing, ✍️ my brain is wonderfully soothed and better at writing if I play Buddhist 'metta' music on Youtube.

I wouldn't want that soothing music for problem-solving. I don't listen to music a lot, and I don't know what kind of music I'd choose for problem-solving - probably none.

According to a study done at the University of Phoenix, as well as various other studies, listening to music with lyrics is quite distracting while you read, study, and write. They found that your brain struggles to process the lyrics and focus on your schoolwork at the same time.

How does music affect problem solving? Mild positive affect has been shown in the psychological literature to improve cognitive skills of creative problem-solving and systematic thinking. ... Results indicate a statistically significant improvement in both state-mood and cognitive performance scores.
Sources: here.


Answer 2:

Music affects different people in different ways, and different kinds of music will also elicit different responses in the same person. This question doesn't have a yes-or-no answer, and it's impossible for me to know what is the answer for you.



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