Story perspectives

Student Music Engagement Determines Reading Aid, Not Memory

5/24/2026

Summary

Story summary

Dr. Lindsey Cooke and her team at Edith Cowan University found that students’ music engagement, not working memory or mind-wandering, predicts whether background music helps or distracts while reading.
In a survey of 220+ undergraduates, 54 percent read with music, citing motivation, noise blocking, and focus, while 46 percent preferred silence.
Working memory and mind-wandering showed no correlation with music choice, leading researchers to plan experiments measuring comprehension.

1 of 1

Story summary

Dr. Lindsey Cooke and her team at Edith Cowan University found that students’ music engagement, not working memory or mind-wandering, predicts whether background music helps or distracts while reading.
In a survey of 220+ undergraduates, 54 percent read with music, citing motivation, noise blocking, and focus, while 46 percent preferred silence.
Working memory and mind-wandering showed no correlation with music choice, leading researchers to plan experiments measuring comprehension.