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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 13, 2026

Brain Imaging Investigation of the Impairing Effect of Emotion on Cognition

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Do distracting activities increase tolerance for an infant cry?

Kathryn Glodowski¹, Rachel Thompson¹

¹Western New England University.

Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis

|October 26, 2016

Summary

Distracting activities can help some individuals tolerate inconsolable infant crying better. This finding suggests potential strategies for parents dealing with infant distress.

Keywords:

aversive noise infant crying negative reinforcement shaken baby syndrome

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A Cognitive Paradigm to Investigate Interference in Working Memory by Distractions and Interruptions

A Cognitive Paradigm to Investigate Interference in Working Memory by Distractions and Interruptions

Published on: July 16, 2015

Area of Science:

Psychology
Infant Behavior Studies
Parenting Research

Background:

Inconsolable infant crying can negatively affect caregivers.
Professionals suggest distracting activities to mitigate these effects.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the impact of distracting activities on tolerance for infant crying.
To assess if distractions reduce the aversiveness of infant cries.

Main Methods:

Six undergraduates were exposed to a recorded infant cry.
Distracting activities were made available to participants.
Tolerance for the cry was measured with and without distractions.

Main Results:

Three out of six students tolerated the recorded infant cry longer when distracting activities were available.
Distractions showed a potential to decrease the aversiveness of infant crying for some individuals.

Conclusions:

Distracting activities may offer a viable coping mechanism for some individuals experiencing infant crying.
Further research in real-world caregiving settings is needed to confirm these findings and their social validity.