Effects of conversational noise, coping techniques, and individual differences on the performance of academic tasks

Abstract

To evaluate the effects of conversational noise on the comprehension/retention of 2000-word text excerpts, three groups were randomly formed. Group 1 (n=21) studied under noise and received coping training. Group 2 (n=20) studied under noise but received no training. Group 3 (n=24) studied under non-noise conditions. In the analysis of the scores on tests over the material studied under noise and non-noise conditions, overall ANCOVAs indicated no significant differences among the three groups in performance on the comprehension/retention tests. Further analyses, however, indicated significant differences between the performance of identifiable subgroups under noise and non-noise conditions. For example, internals on Rotter's I-E scale outperformed externals under noise., whereas the reverse was true under non-noise conditions. Directions for future research and practical application of the findings are discussed.