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Auditory distraction from low‐intensity noise: a review of the consequences for learning and workplace environments
Author(s) -
Beaman C. Philip
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
applied cognitive psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.719
H-Index - 100
eISSN - 1099-0720
pISSN - 0888-4080
DOI - 10.1002/acp.1134
Subject(s) - distraction , psychology , recall , task (project management) , cognitive psychology , cognition , working memory , short term memory , population , poison control , applied psychology , medical emergency , engineering , demography , systems engineering , neuroscience , sociology , medicine
The ‘irrelevant sound effect’ in short‐term memory is commonly believed to entail a number of direct consequences for cognitive performance in the office and other workplaces (e.g. S. P. Banbury, S. Tremblay, W. J. Macken, & D. M. Jones, 2001). It may also help to identify what types of sound are most suitable as auditory warning signals. However, the conclusions drawn are based primarily upon evidence from a single task (serial recall) and a single population (young adults). This evidence is reconsidered from the standpoint of different worker populations confronted with common workplace tasks and auditory environments. Recommendations are put forward for factors to be considered when assessing the impact of auditory distraction in the workplace. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.