Nikhil Awasty is the second author of “Too much of a Good Thing? A Multilevel Examination of Listening to Music at Work,” published online August 2024, the Journal of Applied Psychology.
Are you convinced that music makes you more productive at work or school?
You’re likely not alone, and now there’s research showing that music can be beneficial—under certain conditions.
UNH Paul College Assistant Professor of Organizational Behavior Nikhil Awasty was part of a research team that explored how music influences workplace focus and performance.
The research found that listening to music at work offers some benefits, but these benefits can diminish over time. Additionally, a person’s willpower plays a key role in music’s impact on performance.
“This study is particularly significant because it examines the impact of self-selected music, rather than ambient or background noise, which had been the focus of previous research,” Awasty says.
The Studies and Research Findings
Pilot Study: Involved 108 employees from a software company who self-reported their music listening habits and work performance over two weeks.
Study 1: A lab experiment with 252 undergraduate students who performed proofreading tasks, both with and without music, to measure focus and performance.
Study 2: A three-week experience sampling study with 247 full-time employees who varied their music listening time at work. They self-reported their focus and performance, which their coworkers also rated.
All three studies showed moderate music listening (about an hour longer than usual) improved performance, but listening too long (three hours more) led to declines.
The researchers then examined the impact of "willpower belief," or how much a person believes they can persevere even when things get tough.
“The moderating effect of willpower belief on the relationship between music listening and task focus was particularly interesting,” Awasty says. “Individuals who believe in unlimited willpower maintained better focus regardless of music exposure, suggesting psychological resilience plays a key role in how external stimuli affect performance, which we usually would not associate with something pleasurable like listening to music you like.”
The Big Takeaway
More isn’t always better.
Awasty says the research findings challenge the assumption that all enjoyable activities are beneficial. This research may help employees better manage themselves at work and guide workplace policies regarding music
“Our research suggests that one-size-fits-all policies regarding music in the workplace may be ineffective. Instead, companies should consider more personalized approaches that account for individual differences in willpower and cognitive resilience,” Awasty says. “By understanding the complex effects of music, organizations can create environments that not only enhance performance but also support the psychological health and satisfaction of their employees, leading to a more engaged and productive workforce.”
