Lyrics on Reading Comprehension 1 EFFECTS OF LYRICAL MUSIC ON READING COMPREHENSION Effects of Lyrical Music on Reading Comprehension

Previous research has had mixed results when examining the effect of music on test performance. This study was designed to examine the effects of lyrical and non-lyrical music on reading comprehension. Participants (N = 20, 55 % male) read an article on the health benefits of green tea. Half of the participants did this while listening to a song with lyrics (lyrical condition) and the other half did this while listening to the same song with no lyrics (non-lyrical condition). When the music ended, they completed a 10 question reading comprehension quiz. Although participants scored better in the no lyrics condition than the lyrics condition, the difference wasn’t significant, p =.552. Future studies could consider alternate musical styles