Effects of noise on selective attention: The role of introversion and extraversion

Abstract

BackgroundExtrovert and introvert subjects’ attention levels are affected by exposure to noise. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of stress (noise) on selective attention of university students. MethodsExposure to 80 dBA noise was used as a stimulus condition in this study. Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ) was used for determining personality trait such as extraversion-introversion, stability, and instability. Weinstein’s noise sensitivity scale and the ISO15666 standard were used to assess noise sensitivity and noise annoyance, respectively. In order to assess the continuous selective attention, DUAF test was used. Participants were asked to expose to 80 dBA noise at 4000 Hz frequency for 2 h and perform DUAF test before and after noise exposure. ResultsThe results among introvert subjects indicated that the only statistically significant difference was reported for the mean time spent on incorrect answers (p = 0.018). For extrovert subjects, there were significant differences in the mean number of correct answers (p = 0.005), the mean number of incorrect answers (p = 0.002), the mean time spent on correct answers (p = 0.008), and the mean time spent on incorrect answers (p = 0.001). ConclusionThe results of this study indicate that stress (noise) improves selective attention in extrovert subjects.