Investigating the role of personality type in the effects of low frequency noise on students' cognitive performances

Abstract

Background and Objective: Exposure to noise has harmful effects on physical and mental health as well as the function. Low frequency sound is one of the most important sources of noise in the environment. Some individual differences, such as extroversion, neuroticism, and sound sensitivity are among the factors influencing the effect of sound on cognitive functions. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of personality type (introversion/extroversion) on cognitive performance in the presence of low frequency noise. Materials and Methods: This interventional study was performed on 120 students of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences. The samples were selected through purposeful sampling (60 extroverts and 60 introverts) and entered the study. The cognitive performance of the subjects was examined using the Integrated Visual and Auditory Continuous Performance test during the confrontation with sound. The data were analyzed by independent t-test and analysis of variance using the SPSS version 20. Results: Results of the present study demonstrate that low frequency sound negatively affects the components of cognitive performances. It was revealed that the cognitive performance declines with an increase of 50 to 70 dB in noise pressure (P<0.05). Furthermore, evaluation of the effect of personality type (introversion/extroversion) and gender indicated that the cognitive performance was significantly more affected in introverts and women, compared to the extroverts and men (P<0.05). Conclusion:The findings of this study showed that increasing in the sound level from 50 to 70 dB led in diminished cognitive performance. In addition, this negative effect is significantly more prominent in introverts and women, in comparison with the extroverts and men. How to Cite thisArticle: Babamiri M, Moatamedzadeh M, Golmahammadi R, Derakhshan J, Farhadian M. Role of Personality Type in the Effects of Low Frequency Sound on Cognitive Performance of the Students. J Occup Hyg Eng. 2017; 4(2): 59-66.