Innovation and Empowerment: SNU-Tulsa Research Journal

Background Music: Tim Jones 69
were listed as two of the three most important needs,
surprisingly ranking far higher than technology (Siegel, 2000).
In looking at the studies mentioned above, the importance of
the physical environment in learning is conclusive. Further
research in this study shows that positive results can be gained
in the workplace training room when these environmental factors
are considered. Companies could benefit from better trained
employees, and one way to do that, is by finding the best
possible physical environment for learning. Companies may be
missing out on an opportunity to produce more productive
employees, at little or no cost increase, by failing to address
these concerns.
Effects of Background Music
This project will focus on how the environmental factor of
background music affects learning in the training room. Out of
all the factors mentioned above, there has been the least amount
of research done on background music, but by studying its
affects in many areas of human physiology and interactions,
researchers have concluded that it has played a definite role in
a variety of learning environments.
The Mozart Effect
One popular theory concerning the effects of music on
learning is called the Mozart effect. This theory was first
tested in a study of 36 college students, whose ability to
Innovation and Empowerment: SNU-Tulsa Research Journal, Volume 1, Issue 1