Effects of Noise on Serial Search Performance.
Abstract
To evaluate Broadbent's statements concerning the necessary conditions for demonstrating an adverse effect of noise on human performance, 70 subjects were tested on a serial search task. Performance was measured during broadband noise exposure at an overall level of 105 dB re 0.0002 dyne per square centimeter. The performance of one group of subjects was measured for 36 minutes with two 3-minute interpolated rest periods, while another group was tested for 36 consecutive minutes with no rest periods. The performance of these groups was compared with the performance of comparable control groups. In all groups, performance was measured for 5 days. Noise produced a statistically significant reduction in the number completed for the rest group for the first 12 minutes of testing on each day. There were no significant differences between the noise and control group during the last 24 minutes of testing. For the no rest groups, noise resulted in a smaller number of items completed on the last two days of testing and the difference was statistically significant. On these days the effect was constant throughout the 36 minutes of testing. These results are interpreted as generally supporting Broadbent's position. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1971
- Accession Number
- AD0731184
Entities
People
- C. Stanley Harris
- George W. Filson
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory