Applied Ergonomics 1972, 3.4,202-205 Music-- an aid to product iv i ty

A series of experiments has investigated the relationship between the playing of background music during the performance of repetitive work and efficiency in performing such a task. The results give strong support to the contention that economic benefits can accrue from the use of music in industry. The studies show that music is effective in raising efficiency in this type of work even when in competition with the unfavourable conditions produced by machine noise. Music and the actile period A recent review (Fox, 1971) made it clear that amidst all the 'evidence', commercial nd scientific, there were sufficient facts to justify a claim that background music could influence shopfloor productivity in a positive way. The review pointed to a number of reports where the influence of the music was socio-psychological in that it reduced absenteeism and labour turnover. There were, however, a number of other studies which implied that th