Re: Making some noise on quieting

[Sorrento95@xxxxxxx]

In a message dated 97-08-03 00:56:58 EDT, you write:

<< One of my professors at school allows us to listen to music (radio 
 >stations only with headphones) when we took our calc final.  Those of 
 >us that did this got better grades.
 
    There is definitely I bias in this kind of research.

    I propose that some people are noise-addicted.  Due to
    continuing exposure from electronic audio sources since
    early childhood, they are distressed and uncomfortable
    with quiet.  Noise-addicted people will perform better on
    tests if they have music instead of quiet.   But will they
    perform better than a matched sample of non-noise
    addicted?

    I propose the following experiment:

     1.  Select a sample of age-matched students who have
          approximately equal performance histories in a specified
          subject area

     2.   Devise an instrument which can discriminated between
           noise-addicted and non-noise addicted (and hope that
           there will be some non-noise addicted)

      3.   Select an exam to give to them

      4.    Sub-divide each group into two -- those who will hear
             music during the exam and those who won't

       5.   Give the exam & compare scores among the four
             groups.  

                 -- Michael Wright
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