The effects of ambient noise on vigilance performance

Abstract

The effects of continuo~s noise versus intermittent noise on subjects performing an audio-visual checking task were examined. It was found that intermittent noise reduced performance as predicted by the expectancy theorists. There were no differences in overall vigilance performance between male and female observers. There was a decrement in per- v

Computerized assessment of sustained attention: A review of factors affecting vigilance performance

“…Even lowvolume continuous white noise reduced performance on more cognitive vigilance tasks (Hancock, 1984;Warner & Heimstra, 1972). Neither high-nor low-volume continuous white noise appeared to affect performance on low-demand sensory tasks (Blackwell & Belt, 1971;Broadbent, 1954;Broadbent & Gregory, 1965;Davenport, 1972;Hancock, 1984;Jerison, 1957;Kirk & Hecht, 1963;McCann, 1969;McGrath et al, 1968). Effects of continuous noise on highly demanding sensory tasks have not been investigated (Hancock, 1984).…”

“…However, low-volume varied noise may facilitate performance in low-demand tasks (Blackwell & Belt, 197 1 ;Davenport, 1972;Hancock, 1984;Kirk & Hecht, 1963;McCann, 1969;McGrath & Hatcher, 1968). In studies of clinical populations, Brackup and Knopf (1978) demonstrated that low-volume intermittent background conversation facilitated vigilance performance of learning-disabled boys.…”

Security lighting for nuclear weapons storage sites :

“…Second, non-visual stimulation may actually mask incoming visual information, thus affecting the sensory-perceptual process. Intense noise is the most serious of the potential cross-modality visual performance retardants [87,109,110]. For NWSS security system design, all sources of intense, cross-modality, sensory stimulation should be removed from the immediate area of the security observer.…”