Noise, Intellectual Task and Intelligence

Deterioration of performance whilst carrying out an intellectual task, in traffic noise of peak level 80 … 90 dB (A), appears to correlate significantly with the intelligence of the subject.

The results of a laboratory experiment, in which forty students carried out intelligence tests of 30 minutes duration, both in quiet and in the noise, are described and discussed. Both the score and the number of questions attempted were reduced, in the noise, for those subjects of high intelligence, whilst those for subjects of lower intelligence actually improved. These findings could have important implications, for many workers in modern offices and for students taking part in certain practical examinations.