Effects of noise on performance

Abstract

Previous research indicates that noise is likely to produce decrements in performance (not due to masking) only if task loads are high. We hypothesize that noise acts to increase task load such that noise and tasks may be interchangeable. This hypothesis was confirmed in an experiment involving two tasks—math problem solving M and auditory tracking T—performed individually and simultaneously with, and without, noise N. Equal numbers of male and female undergraduates participated in all conditions. A significant (p < 0.01) decrement in math performance was found only under the M + T + N condition, and the contributions of T and N to this decrement were not found to be different. Similarly, the largest significant (p < 0.01) decrement in tracking performance was obtained under the M + T + N condition. A small, but significant (p < 0.01), tracking decrement also was found under the T + N condition, probably the result of masking. Otherwise, the contributions of M and N to the tracking decrement were not different. These findings suggest that the effects of M, N, and T were functionally equivalent. Sex and interaction effects were not statistically significant. [Work supported by USDA USFS.]