The effect of broadband noise, mood, and language background on decision-making performance.

Abstract

Affective states (i.e., mood) and stressors such as noise have been shown to influence memory and performance. This effect varies depending on the affective state (i.e., negative vs positive), the stressor and other factors such as the native language background of the individual. What remains unknown is the interaction between the two states, mood and noise, on decision-making performance. This study investigates how the negative affective state of tense and the stressor of broadband (white) noise at 75 dB(A) impacts an individual's decision-making performance. This effect was investigated for both native and non-native English speakers. The results revealed the stressor of broadband noise at 75 dB(A) positively influenced decision-making performance in a calm affective state. The results also revealed in the absence of the stressor noise [i.e., ambient noise at 38 dB(A)], a tense affective state also positively influenced decision-making performance. No effect was found based on language background. These findings highlight the benefits of certain stressors and affective states in optimising decision-making performance, an important area for safety-critical industries such as aviation, rail, and healthcare.