Despite popular belief, music doesn’t always enhance creativity. In fact, it can produce the opposite effect.

Researchers from Lancaster University found people who listened to music experienced a dip in creativity. This study presented participants with verbal tasks in either a quiet environment or one in which they listened to instrumental or lyrical music.

They discovered that creativity was impaired when participants listened to either kind of music compared with completing the tasks in a quiet environment.

The researchers say while music can benefit us in other ways, this study shows that it can negatively impact our creative abilities.

Source:

Lancaster University (2019, February 27). How Listening to Music ‘Significantly Impairs’ Creativity. NeuroscienceNews. Retrieved February 27, 2019 from http://neurosciencenews.com/music-creativity-10831/