Lo-Fi, Classical, or Silence? The Psychology of Study Music

I can't study without music, particularly lo-fi beats. While many people find that music helps them focus while studying or working, for some, it can be a distraction and even counterproductive. The type of music (or lack of it) you choose can shape your focus, memory, and productivity in surprising ways.

Lo-Fi music has become a popular choice for study music, and there are many reasons for this. Its low-fidelity sound with imperfections (like vinyl scratches or rain sounds) creates a cozy, non-distracting background, and the steady beat helps maintain a flow state while studying. This makes lo-fi perfect for creative thinking and, thus, is best suited for tasks like writing essays, light reading, and reviewing notes. 

In a 2007 study, it was found that classical music, specifically, can help your brain easily absorb and interpret new information. For this reason, classical music is considered best for deep reading, research, and memorizing huge amounts of information. A study conducted in 1993 by psychologist Frances Rauscher found that students who listened to Mozart's Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major before taking a spatial reasoning test performed better than those who either sat in silence or listened to different sounds. This led to the popular belief that listening to Mozart can enhance intelligence, a phenomenon referred to as The Mozart Effect. However, later research revealed that this effect is temporary and not necessarily connected to overall intelligence and that the effect can be achieved by listening to other forms of instrumental music as well.

Silence is often considered to be the ultimate concentration tool, allowing the brain to function at full capacity without competing stimuli. Research also suggests that absolute silence helps boost cognitive function and long-term retention, making it ideal for high-focus tasks. Since it's almost impossible to find environments with complete silence, many people resort to nature sounds or white noise, which can be just as beneficial. 

That being said, not all background sounds are helpful—music with lyrics, fast-paced beats, or strong emotional ties can actually hinder productivity by competing for cognitive resources. While music can enhance focus for some, it’s important to choose sounds that support rather than disrupt your brain’s ability to process information. Finding the right balance between silence, instrumental music, or ambient noise can make all the difference in optimizing study sessions.