Effects of noise level and difficulty of task in performing division

Abstract

Ss worked division problems for 20 min. in the presence of 98 db.-108 db. of noise while Ss of comparable mean ability in arithmetic worked the problems under conditions of room noise. Under each condition 1 group of Ss worked "easy" problems and another group worked "difficult" problems. Intense noise produced no effect on mean number of problems correctly solved. Variability of performance was significantly greater with easy problems under intense noise conditions than under room-noise conditions, although there was no difference with difficult problems. There was no evidence of a decrement in performance within the 20-min. session attributable to noise level. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)