Unmasking the effects of masking on performance: The potential of multiple-voice masking in the office environment

The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
Marijke Keus van de PollPatrik Sörqvist

Abstract

Broadband noise is often used as a masking sound to combat the negative consequences of background speech on performance in open-plan offices. As office workers generally dislike broadband noise, it is important to find alternatives that are more appreciated while being at least not less effective. The purpose of experiment 1 was to compare broadband noise with two alternatives-multiple voices and water waves-in the context of a serial short-term memory task. A single voice impaired memory in comparison with silence, but when the single voice was masked with multiple voices, performance was on level with silence. Experiment 2 explored the benefits of multiple-voice masking in more detail (by comparing one voice, three voices, five voices, and seven voices) in the context of word processed writing (arguably a more office-relevant task). Performance (i.e., writing fluency) increased linearly from worst performance in the one-voice condition to best performance in the seven-voice condition. Psychological mechanisms underpinning these effects are discussed.

References

Jan 1, 1982·Scandinavian Audiology·B Hagerman
Feb 13, 1999·Journal of Experimental Psychology. Human Perception and Performance·W Ellermeier, J Hellbruck
Nov 18, 2000·Psychonomic Bulletin & Review·D M Jones, S Tremblay
May 19, 2005·The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America·Koenraad S Rhebergen, Niek J Versfeld
Sep 5, 2006·Ergonomics·N VenetjokiV Hongisto
Aug 7, 2010·Brain and Cognition·Patrik SörqvistHelena Jahncke
Sep 28, 2010·Noise & Health·John E Marsh, Dylan M Jones
Jan 19, 2012·Journal of Experimental Psychology. Learning, Memory, and Cognition·Dylan M JonesRobert W Hughes
Jan 31, 2012·Scandinavian Journal of Psychology·Patrik SörqvistNiklas Halin
Jul 19, 2013·The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America·Søren JørgensenTorsten Dau
Aug 24, 2013·The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America·Munhum ParkArno van Leest
Oct 9, 2013·Journal of Experimental Psychology. Applied·Niklas HalinPatrik Sörqvist
Nov 5, 2013·The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America·Karen L Payton, Mona Shrestha

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Nov 8, 2016·Applied Cognitive Psychology·Marijke Keus van de Poll, Patrik Sörqvist
Oct 22, 2016·Work : a Journal of Prevention, Assessment, and Rehabilitation·Helena JahnckePatrik Sörqvist
Aug 5, 2017·Frontiers in Psychology·Valtteri HongistoEvan Benway
Apr 2, 2018·The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America·Tobias RenzAndreas Liebl
Apr 3, 2020·The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America·Zanyar Abdalrahman, Laurent Galbrun

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.