Background television as an inhibitor of performance on easy and difficult homework assignments

Author(s): vanderVoort, T. H. A., Beentjes, J. W. J., Koolstra, C. M.

Journal/Book: Commun Res. 2000; 27: 2455 Teller Rd, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA. Sage Publications Inc. 293-326.

Abstract: Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of two types of background television programs on students' performance on easy and difficult homework assignments. In both experiments, students in Grade 8 (Experiment I: N = 90; Experiment 2: N = 144) were matched on reading proficiency. Subsequently, the participants were randomly assigned to one of three experimental conditions in which they did homework with (a) a Dutch-language soap opera, (b) English-language music videos, or (c) no television in the background. The execution of homework was hindered only when it was combined with watching a soap opera. The distraction effect of the soap opera was expressed either in a performance decrement (Experiment 1) or in an extension of performance time (Experiment 2).

Note: Article Pool MM, Leiden Univ, Ctr Child & Media Studies, NL-2300 RA Leiden, NETHERLANDS

Keyword(s): READING-COMPREHENSION; MUSIC; ATTENTION; MEMORY; DISTRACTION; INTROVERTS; CAPACITY; EXTROVERTS; RESPONSES; MEDIA

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