Yun-Hsuan Lin

Publication Date

1996

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Daniels, Denise H. (Denise Honeycutt), 1960-

Degree Name

M.S. Ed. (Master of Education)

Legacy Department

Department of Educational Psychology, Counseling, and Special Education

LCSH

Test anxiety; Educational statistics--Study and teaching (Higher)--Psychological aspects

Abstract

This study was designed to examine the effect of soothing background music on graduate students' test anxiety in statistics classes. Thirty-four volunteer graduate students from two Educational Statistics classes at Northern Illinois University were involved in the study. The subjects were divided into two groups (treatment and control groups). In the treatment group, soothing music was played before the subjects took a non-graded quiz. In the control group, no music was played either before or during the quiz. Anxiety was measured using an adapted form of the Test Comfort Index. Subjects also responded to questions concerning their views on the use of music to facilitate learning and performance. The results of this study showed that background music did not reduce subjects' anxiety. However, most of the subjects reported that the use of soothing background music before taking the quiz did have a relaxing and calming effect. Subjects supported using background music in classes, and during testing and studying situations. Explanations for results, and practical suggestions for using background music in educational settings are discussed.

Comments

Includes bibliographical references (pages [52]-59)

Extent

v, 67 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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