C16 : Tuning In to the Deadline: A Study on how Music Affects Cognitive Performance under Time Pressure


Students Sophia Iyilade
School HDSB - Iroquois Ridge High School - Oakville
Level Intermediate 9/10 - Grade 10
Group Group 16 - Health Sciences III
Abstract Music has been shown to influence mood and regulate arousal levels, both of which are important for maintaining focus during cognitive tasks. In contrast, performance often declines under timed pressure, due to a psychological phenomenon known as “choking.” The purpose of this experiment is to investigate whether background music can neutralize the negative effects of time pressure and improve performance during a timed 9×9 Sudoku task.