The Environmental Effects of Sound on Concentration on Memory Consolidation
Autor: Maryam • February 23, 2018 • 2,299 Words (10 Pages) • 801 Views
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Results
Test scores of the participants (out of 10)
Sound
No sound
6
9
8
8
5
7
6
8
4
6
5
9
7
7
6
10
5
6
6
10
This table shows the results each participant obtained in the experiment. It is evident that the scores achieved in the quiet environment (with no sound) are higher than the scores achieved in the environment with sound. The mean of the data collected in the environment with no sound is 8 out of 10. This indicates that, based on the scale, the participants have an above average memory. The mean data collected in the environment with sound is 5.8 out of 10. Based on the scale, this indicates that the participants have an average memory.
[pic 1]
Furthermore the results of the males and females in both environments are as follows:
Scores of males and females in sound environment
Males
Females
5
6
7
8
6
5
5
6
6
4
Scores of males and females in no sound environment
Males
Females
9
9
8
10
7
7
6
10
8
6
[pic 2]
This bar graph indicates that males and females scored a higher average in the environment with no sound. The males and females scored a 5.8 average in the study in the environment with sound. However, males scored an average of 7.6 in the environment with no sound and females scored 8.4 in the same environment.
[pic 3]
This pie chart shows that being male or female does not affect one’s ability to memorise as the amount of males and females with average or above average memory are the same. This therefore, indicates that the results of this study are majorly influenced by the environment.
Discussion
This study was designed to examine the environmental effects (of sound) on concentration on memory consolidation in both males and females. The hypothesis, if an environment has less or no sound/noise, the concentration levels will be higher resulting in better memory consolidation, was sustained as the results indicate. The average scores of those who completed the test with no sound were higher than those who did the test with sound. Furthermore, it is also evident that gender did not affect the ability of the participants to perform the test as the results indicated that the percentage of males and females with above average memory and the males and females with average memory are the same. These results are supportive of the other research that was done regarding sound and concentration (as mentioned in the introduction).
According to Kosko (2006) sound is an unwanted signal. This was also evident within this study as the group who completed the memory task with sound tended to squint their eyes in a motion almost to block out the sound as it interfered with their concentration. In addition, it took this group longer to complete the memory test as they tried recalling the colours. Therefore, this indicates that sound disrupted the participants’ cognitive tasks (Jones and Macken, 1993).
Banbury and Berry (1998) also supported this notion as their results indicated that any type of noise disrupted participants’ cognitive abilities during their tasks. Due to the fact that the results were higher for the participants in the environment with no sound, this is an indication that sound does affect cognitive skills.
Although, not all sounds disrupt cognitive skills. Depending on the type of sound it can have no impact on one’s cognitive abilities during cognitive tasks (Cassileth, Vickers and Magill, 2003). In children with ADHD, certain types of sound like music aid the concentration (Schellenberg, 2005).
A limitation to this study may be the fact that the experimental group may be too small. This is because the experiment was done with 20 students: this cannot represent the entire population. Also, the participants were limited to a specific age group this the results cannot be applicable for all ages.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the results of this study support the hypothesis, if an environment has less or no sound/noise, the concentration levels will be higher resulting in better memory consolidation. The results are also compatible with other research done on this topic.
References
Banbury, S., & Berry, D. C. (1998). Disruption of office-related tasks by speech and office noise. British Journal of Psychology, 89, 499–517. DOI: 10.1111/j.2044-8295.1998.tb02699.x
Cassileth, B. R., Vickers, A. J., & Magill,
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