Abstract
Seventy-five undergraduates were randomly assigned to one of 3 (SS, DS, DD) conditions. The construction of musical selections presented at encoding and testing were: same music with same tempo (SS), different music with same tempo (DS), and different music with different tempo (DD). The undergraduates individually received 24 words on a computer screen one-by-one at a rate of 5 s per item. They were required orally to report free associates from currently presented word, and were not informed any test. Ten s before presentation of words, assigned musical selection was presented until the end of the presentation. After the list presentation, the undergraduates received instructions for an oral free-recall test. SS condition showed significantly better recall than both DS and DD conditions. There was no difference in recall between DS and DD conditions. These results conflict with the notion that musical tempo determines mood, and that mood determines recall.
