Does Listening to Music While Working Make You Less Productive?

----------Jen

          Annie Murphy Paul, in the article “Does Listening to Music While Working Make You Less Productive,” explains the effects of listening to music while working. According to the author, under some condition; music improves our performance, while in other situations, music makes it worse or even dangerous. The author states that absorbing and remembering new information is best done with the music off. The article goes on to say that music can improve performance when a well-practiced expert needs to achieve the relaxed job which he has done many times before. Music makes rote or routine tasks less boring and more enjoyable. Annie concludes the article by stating that, when you need to give learning and remembering your full attention, silence is golden.          
          In sum, the author states that listening to music while working sometime improves our performance but sometimes makes it worse. I agree the author that the situations are depending on which kind of works will you do. Nevertheless, the author fails to address that workers’ personality also is an element to consider. Furthermore, surgeons shouldn’t listen to music in the operating room; it will reduce their vigilance and impair their communication with other staff. Music will distract their attention, and no patients want to take a risk. For me, I like to listen to the music when I am doing the work where I don’t use my brain. However, I need a completely quiet environment when I am doing some work that I must pay attention.


http://ideas.time.com/2012/09/12/does-listening-to-music-while-working-make-you-less-productive/