Role of executive function among young adults in music and non-music programs

Abstract

Each aspect of human development; physical, psychological and social development across life span is a critical issue to many researchers to examine. During the emerging adulthood transitional period, a person is not adolescence but is also not yet fully adult. Hence, the word “young adults” is used to refer to this group under the study. Resulting from neural immatureness in prefrontal control areas, risky behaviors and problems can be found as threatening factors during this transitional period. As they are more independent and exposed to new things, attraction, stress, and risky environments, Executive Function (EF) has made itself important in self-controlling to cope with such distractions, solve problems and manage life’s complexity. Thus, the importance of executive function must be addressed during this transition period. Several studies revealed the advantages of music training on various aspects including executive function improvement. Less is however known about the executive function and effect of music training on executive function during this young adulthood period development. This research aims to study the effect of music training on executive function among young adults studying in different studies programs particularly in Music and Non-Music Programs at university level. The Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) is used for the assessment of the executive function among the selected group. The results show that young adults in Music Program performed better on 2 of the WCST sub-scores (total correct and conceptual level response) when compared to young adults in Non-Music Program.