This study aims to examine the effects of instrumental lo-fi background music compared to silence on cognitive interference performance among university students. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a lo-fi music condition or a silent condition while completing a paper-based Stroop Color-Word task. The main outcome will be the level of cognitive interference, measured by the number of correct responses during the interference condition. The study seeks to determine whether background music improves or impairs selective attention and cognitive control.

This study investigates the impact of instrumental lo-fi background music on cognitive interference during a Stroop Color-Word task in university students. A between-subjects experimental design will be used, where participants are randomly assigned to either a lo-fi music condition or a silence control condition. All participants will complete three timed sections of the Stroop task: word reading, color naming, and color-word interference.

The Stroop interference score will be calculated based on the number of correct responses within a fixed time period. The study focuses on selective attention and cognitive control processes, examining whether background music facilitates or hinders performance.

Participants will be undergraduate students with normal or corrected vision and hearing. Standardized procedures will be followed to ensure consistency, including the use of headphones for all participants to control environmental conditions.

The findings of this study may contribute to understanding how environmental factors such as background music influence cognitive performance in academic settings.

Inclusion Criteria:

• • Aged between 18 and 24 years (verified via self-report at screening)

  • Currently enrolled as an undergraduate student at Canadian University Dubai
  • Self-reported proficiency in English sufficient to understand task instructions and perform colour-naming responses
  • Self-reported normal or corrected-to-normal vision
  • Self-reported normal hearing

Exclusion Criteria:

• • Any form of colour vision deficiency (e.g., red-green colour blindness)

  • A diagnosis of a neurological or psychological condition known to affect cognitive performance (e.g., ADHD, major depressive disorder, or learning disabilities), based on self-report
  • Current use of prescribed medication that may affect cognitive functioning, based on self-report