The effects of temporal structure of background noise on working memory: Theoretical and practical implications

Author(s): Kilcher, H., Hellbruck, J.

Journal/Book: Z Exp Psychol. 1995; 42: Rohnsweg 25, D-37085 Gottingen, Germany. Hogrefe-Verlag GmbH & Co. 517-544.

Abstract: The term ''irrelevant speech effect'' refers to the disruption of serial recall of visually presented verbal items due to the presence of task irrelevant background speech sounds. In four experiments we investigated whether this disruption is due to a special status of speech sounds in encoding and processing in working memory, or whether disruption occurs because of some features of the sounds, which in principle could also occur in non-speech sounds. Our results indicate the following: (1) incomprehensible foreign speech is as disruptive as native speech; (2) non-speech sounds, such as instrumental music or synthesized sounds, may also produce significant disruption of serial recall; and (3) speech sounds are not always sufficient to produce disruption. The temporal structure of the background sounds is crucial to determine if it will be disruptive, rather than whether it is speech or non-speech.

Note: Article J Hellbruck, Katholische Univ Eichstatt, D-85071 Eichstatt, Germany

Keyword(s): changing state; irrelevant music effect; irrelevant speech effect; noise; serial recall; working memory; SHORT-TERM-MEMORY; UNATTENDED SPEECH; IRRELEVANT SPEECH; CHANGING-STATE; DISRUPTION

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