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Auditory Distraction During Reading: A Bayesian Meta-Analysis of a Continuing Controversy
Martin R Vasilev1, Julie A Kirkby1, Bernhard Angele1
1Department of Psychology, Bournemouth University.
Summary
Background noise, speech, and music reliably impair reading comprehension. This distraction effect is similar in children and adults, with intelligible speech and music causing the most disruption.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Auditory Perception
- Reading Comprehension
Background:
- Everyday reading often occurs amidst auditory distractions like noise, speech, and music.
- Previous research on auditory distraction during reading has yielded inconsistent and contradictory findings.
- The theoretical implications of auditory distraction effects on reading comprehension require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a comprehensive meta-analysis of studies on auditory distraction during reading.
- To test theoretical predictions regarding the impact of different auditory stimuli on reading performance.
- To develop new theoretical models that explain distraction by both speech and noise.
Main Methods:
- Conducted a Bayesian meta-analysis of 65 studies examining auditory-distraction effects on reading.
- Utilized metaregression models to analyze the influence of various auditory stimuli (noise, speech, music).
- Compared distraction effects across different age groups (adults and children).
Main Results:
- Background noise, speech, and music consistently showed a small but significant negative impact on reading performance.
- The degree of reading comprehension disruption was comparable between adults and children.
- Intelligible speech and music with lyrics caused the most substantial distraction.
Conclusions:
- Auditory distractions, including noise, speech, and music, reliably impair reading comprehension.
- Existing theories may need refinement to account for distraction caused by both intelligible speech and non-linguistic noise.
- The findings highlight the need for integrated theoretical frameworks to explain the multifaceted nature of auditory distraction in reading.
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