Science Fair Project
How does music affect your pulse rate?
Music
Nicholas Johnsen, Ryan Porter
Statement of the Problem
How can music affect your pulse rate?
Project Overview
In our project, we gathered six groups of test
subjects, and then played different forms of
music.
Research
 More heavy types of music can distract people, or even sometimes
make them more aggressive.
 Quieter and more soothing music is known to help people think
better and work more efficiently.
 Music can sometimes even boost your confidence.
Music can even be found to boost customer experience. It peps up the mood of the
customers.
Certain types of music bring up certain feelings (sad music brings up sad feelings,
happy music brings up happy thoughts and feelings).
Variables
 the independent variable is the music that is played.
 The operational definition is the type of music(rock, classical,
techno, and no music).
 The dependent variable is the pulse rate.
 Another operational definition is pulse rate per minute.
 The constants are time, amount of people, time that music is
played, volume, and if you are sitting or standing.
Hypothesis
If you are listening to music like hard rock
and metal, then the pulse rate of a person will
speed up, because the faster and louder the
music gets, the faster your pulse rate will be.
Materials
 Techno music(dubstep), hard rock/ metal,
classical music, and hip hop/rap.
 Ipod or mp3 player
 5 groups of seventh graders
 Pencils
 Paper
 Stereo for playing music
Procedure
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Gather all music
Gather all of the test subjects.
Explain how the test subjects will take their pulse.
Distribute an index card and a pencil to each test subject
Begin the music
Play music for two minutes, then stop it
Immediately after music stops, have each test subject write down
their pulse rate
Repeat step two through eight
Have test subjects turn in index cards
Data/Observations (Analyzes)
Conclusion
Our hypothesis was proven wrong. We originally thought that metal
would increase your pulse rate the most, since it’s more aggressive,
louder, and more rapid. Classical music, it turns out, increases your
pulse rate the most.
Possible Experimental Errors
 One experimental error that we had was when with one group
we forgot to label before we played the music.
 Some people weren’t very accurate when taking their pulse
rate.
Applications and Recommendations
We recommend having the test subjects be more accurate
while recording their pulse rate, because that is important.
Works Cited
Works Cited
"How Does Music Affect Your Sleep Patterns." Fake Doctors Sick Note - Blank Printable Doctors Excuses Sample.
Web. 27 Jan. 2011. <http://www.scumdoctor.com/disease-prevention/sleep-disorder/sleep-pattern/How-Does-MusicAffect-Your-Sleep-Patterns.html>.
"Interview with Daniel Levitin: Part 1 | Music Instinct." Interview. PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. Web. 27 Jan.
2011. <http://www.pbs.org/wnet/musicinstinct/blog/interview-with-daniel-levitin/part-one/18/>.
IPower, Inc., and Mark Altman. Relaxing Music, Sleep-aids, Anxiety Reduction, Relaxation Tools. Web. 26 Jan. 2011.
<http://www.soundsleeping.com/>.
Levitin, Daniel J. Barnes & Noble.com. 10 Aug. 1995. Web. 27 Jan. 2011. <http://search.barnesandnoble.com/This-IsYour-Brain-on-Music/Daniel-J-Levitin/e/9780452288522>.
Oak, Manali. "Effects of Music on the Mind and Brain." Buzzle Web Portal: Intelligent Life on the Web. 21 June 1999.
Web. 27 Jan. 2011. <http://www.buzzle.com/articles/effects-of-music-on-the-mind-and-brain.html>.
"Re: Effects of Music on Lucid Dreaming." Web log comment. Dreamviews Lucid Dreaming Community & Resource.
05 Aug. 2007. Web. 27 Jan. 2011. <http://www.dreamviews.com/f20/effects-music-lucid-dreaming-41233/>.