Katy Ieong Cheng Ho Weatherly, In Son Zeng, Ivy Ho I Chao, Yuqi Lin
{"title":"Tune in, recall more: Exploring the effects of a musical mnemonic device on children’s working memory","authors":"Katy Ieong Cheng Ho Weatherly, In Son Zeng, Ivy Ho I Chao, Yuqi Lin","doi":"10.1177/03057356261433599","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"This study explored the impact of using a musical mnemonic device on enhancing memory retention in second-grade students ( <jats:italic toggle=\"yes\">N</jats:italic> = 132) while learning a Chinese poem. The quasi-experimental design involved two groups of students: one receiving music-based instruction ( <jats:italic toggle=\"yes\">n</jats:italic> = 65) and the other receiving traditional verbal instruction ( <jats:italic toggle=\"yes\">n</jats:italic> <jats:italic toggle=\"yes\">=</jats:italic> 67). Students’ recitation accuracy was assessed immediately after learning and 1 week later with repeated procedures. While initial findings revealed no significant difference in immediate performance between the groups ( <jats:italic toggle=\"yes\">p</jats:italic> > .05), notable improvements were observed in the experimental, music-based group after a one-week interval with a repeated procedure ( <jats:italic toggle=\"yes\">p</jats:italic> <jats:italic toggle=\"yes\"><</jats:italic> .05), particularly for male students ( <jats:italic toggle=\"yes\">p</jats:italic> < .005). In addition, students with instrumental training outperformed their peers without such training, supporting the notion that music training could enhance working memory ( <jats:italic toggle=\"yes\">p</jats:italic> < .01). We also revealed that students’ retention of Chinese poems, especially for those in the lowest 10th percentile of accuracy, was significantly boosted by incorporating music after 1 week’s interval ( <jats:italic toggle=\"yes\">p</jats:italic> < .001). These results suggest that while music as a mnemonic device may not yield immediate benefits, it can potentially enhance memory retention over time.","PeriodicalId":47977,"journal":{"name":"Psychology of Music","volume":"25 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.6000,"publicationDate":"2026-04-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Psychology of Music","FirstCategoryId":"102","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1177/03057356261433599","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"0","JCRName":"MUSIC","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
This study explored the impact of using a musical mnemonic device on enhancing memory retention in second-grade students ( N = 132) while learning a Chinese poem. The quasi-experimental design involved two groups of students: one receiving music-based instruction ( n = 65) and the other receiving traditional verbal instruction ( n= 67). Students’ recitation accuracy was assessed immediately after learning and 1 week later with repeated procedures. While initial findings revealed no significant difference in immediate performance between the groups ( p > .05), notable improvements were observed in the experimental, music-based group after a one-week interval with a repeated procedure ( p< .05), particularly for male students ( p < .005). In addition, students with instrumental training outperformed their peers without such training, supporting the notion that music training could enhance working memory ( p < .01). We also revealed that students’ retention of Chinese poems, especially for those in the lowest 10th percentile of accuracy, was significantly boosted by incorporating music after 1 week’s interval ( p < .001). These results suggest that while music as a mnemonic device may not yield immediate benefits, it can potentially enhance memory retention over time.
期刊介绍:
Psychology of Music and SEMPRE provide an international forum for researchers working in the fields of psychology of music and music education, to encourage the exchange of ideas and to disseminate research findings. Psychology of Music publishes peer-reviewed papers directed at increasing the scientific understanding of any psychological aspect of music. These include studies on listening, performing, creating, memorising, analysing, describing, learning, and teaching, as well as applied social, developmental, attitudinal and therapeutic studies. Special emphasis is placed on studies carried out in naturalistic settings, especially those which address the interface between music psychology and music education.