LAUSR

Abstract Previous research has found that the performance of introverts on complex cognitive tasks is more negatively affected by background music than that of extraverts. This study explored the impact of background music on cognitive performance by using the reaction test and the visual pursuit test of the Vienna Test System. A total of 15 introverts and 15 extraverts carried out the reaction test and visual pursuit test in silence and with the presence of background music. The results showed that there was significant interaction effect (Music*EPQ) on visual pursuit test performance. However, no significant interaction effect on reaction test performance was found. The visual pursuit test performance in silence was significantly higher than that in the presence of music. However, no significant difference was found in the results of the reaction test between the two conditions. Extraverts performed better than introverts on the visual pursuit test in the presence of music; but in silence, the performances of the two groups were the same. In traffic or sports area, the effects of background music on visual reaction and visual pursuit ability need to be paid more attention.