Scientific laboratories demand precision, concentration, and coordination. From pipetting samples to analyzing data, tasks in lab environments often require deep focus and minimal distraction. Yet, many labs—especially those embedded within hospitals, academic institutions, or pharmaceutical facilities—include background music as part of their general ambiance.
Kathleen Keeler
Ohio State University
A new study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology provides compelling insights into how background music can affect workplace performance and well-being. These findings, while drawn from general workplaces, offer useful parallels for interpreting the impact of music in laboratories.
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Understanding Music Misfit
The research, led by Kathleen Keeler of Ohio State University, introduces the concept of music misfit—a mismatch between the characteristics of background music and an employee’s needs for focus, energy, or emotional regulation. Key musical characteristics include:
- Volume
- Speed
- Complexity
- Emotional intensity
“Music that doesn’t fit what an employee needs to feel energized, manage emotions, and focus on task can have a real negative impact,” said Keeler.
In a laboratory context, where auditory distractions can influence attention to detail and increase error rates, music misfit may be particularly consequential.
Translating Research Findings to the Lab
Study Overview
The original study consisted of two parts:
A controlled online experiment with 166 workers who completed a task while listening to music that either matched or mismatched their stated preferences.
A field study with 68 employees in real-world workplaces (e.g., healthcare and food service), who reported on their daily music experiences and work behaviors over three weeks.
Although neither study was conducted in scientific labs, the behavioral outcomes they measured—emotional depletion, reduced task performance, and workplace disengagement—are highly relevant in research settings.
Applying the Insights
In lab environments, the consequences of distraction are amplified. Researchers and technicians who are exposed to background music that clashes with their cognitive or emotional needs may experience:
- Cognitive fatigue that impairs data interpretation or documentation
- Reduced emotional regulation in high-pressure situations
- Decreased collaboration or helpful behaviors among staff
“It can affect the bottom line of companies if their employees are not being productive because they are being drained and distracted by the music they hear all day,” Keeler explained.
Individual Differences: Why Some Lab Workers Are More Affected
The study found that employees with low sensory filtering ability—called non-screeners—were most impacted by music misfit. In a lab, this might include technicians who struggle to tune out ambient noise while focusing on experimental design, instrument calibration, or quality assurance checks.
“The bad effects of music misfit are worse for those who are non-screeners,” Keeler said. “They have difficulty blocking out the music and so they feel less positive emotion and feel more depleted.”
This suggests that a one-size-fits-all approach to background music may not work in shared lab spaces.
Recommendations for Lab Managers
Considerations Drawn from the Research
Although the original study examined office and service settings, lab leaders can extrapolate valuable guidance:
- Avoid background music in high-concentration zones like cleanrooms, PCR stations, or data analysis areas.
- Conduct anonymous staff surveys to assess how different individuals experience music at work.
- Designate quiet and social zones in open lab environments.
- Allow use of personal headphones, especially with noise-canceling or ambient-aware features.
“Employers should try to strike a balance between making sure their music appeals to both customers and employees,” Keeler said. For lab managers, the parallel is ensuring that environmental soundscapes support scientific integrity and staff satisfaction.
Looking Forward: Toward a Personalized Acoustic Environment
This research also opens the door to customizable sound environments in labs. Just as facilities invest in airflow control or ergonomic workstations, sound should be considered part of the laboratory design. Smart earbuds, adaptive playlists, or even silence-as-default policies can promote a better fit between sound and scientific work.
“Our research suggests that there are a lot of benefits, including productivity, engagement and well-being,” Keeler concluded.
Conclusion
Although this research did not focus specifically on laboratories, the insights it offers are highly relevant. Lab work demands attention to detail, emotional composure, and high cognitive load—all areas potentially impacted by auditory distractions. By interpreting this research through a scientific lens, lab managers can make informed decisions about music in the lab, ultimately supporting better outcomes for both science and staff.
