Effects of background music on visual lobe and visual search performance

Abstract

The present study measured the visual lobe shape and visual search performance of 65 participants under different background music conditions. A 2 (tempo: 40% faster vs. 40% lower) � 2 (volume: 85 dB vs. 55 dB) between-subject factorial design was used in this experiment. Results revealed that the tempo and volume of background music had significant effects on visual lobe area, and the size of visual lobe was largest when the music tempo was fast and the volume was large. As to visual search performance, search time was significantly shorter when music tempo was fast. The obtained results indicated that the tempo, volume as well as subjects’ perceived feeling of background music had an influence on visual lobe shape and visual search performance. The conclusions could provide guidelines for the design of visual tasks with background music.