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The impact of environmental noise on mealtime social interactions in a residential facility for persons with mental retardation
Author(s) -
Spreat Scott,
Lamina Joseph,
Jefferys Jeri,
Axelrod Saul,
Murphy Betty Jo,
McGuffin Patrick
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
behavioral interventions
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.605
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 1099-078X
pISSN - 1072-0847
DOI - 10.1002/bin.2360050102
Subject(s) - psychology , noise (video) , environmental noise , audiology , developmental psychology , acoustics , medicine , sound (geography) , physics , artificial intelligence , computer science , image (mathematics)
Four levels of environmental noise were experimentally manipulated during lunch and dinner in a residential living unit for 10 behaviorally disordered persons with mental retardation. During the highest noise conditions, there appeared to be some suppression of social interaction between these people, while interaction rates were uniformly higher during softer noise conditions. This effect was evident at both lunch and dinner. Staff members were less affected by the fluctuation in noise levels, although lunchtime staff engaged in more interactions with clients when both the radio and TV were played softly.