Why does it seem harder to focus on a specific task when there is loud background music playing? (For example: reading something important, trying to parallel park)

Question

Why does it seem harder to focus on a specific task when there is loud background music playing? (For example: reading something important, trying to parallel park)

In: Other

Answer 1

Attention is a limited resource, it has a limited capacity. To concentrate on a specific task, it’s often necessary to reduce or remove stimuli in the environment that are competing for that resource. Multi-tasking, even in a passive sense, divides attention. So, by turning off the music, you are freeing up attention that can be used to focus on the target task.