Metamemory for words in noise

Abstract

This study used ease of learning (EOL) judgments to examine whether people recognize the effect that noise has on their recall performance. In four experiments, participants studied lists of visually-presented words while ignoring different types of irrelevant background noise. In Experiment 1, EOLs and recall were measured in three conditions: quiet, white noise, and irrelevant speech (cafeteria babble). Surprisingly, the typical irrelevant speech effect (ISE) was not observed. Experiment 2 determined that the lack of an ISE was not due to the additional EOL judgment. In Experiment 3, a different irrelevant speech sound file (a single talker speaking German) elicited a typical ISE. Finally, in Experiment 4, a robust ISE was found. The metamemory data showed that participants can recognize the effect of irrelevant speech prior to being tested but incorrectly believe white noise has a disadvantageous effect on their memory. The results are discussed in terms of Koriat’s (1997) cue utilization theory.