Research Project Title
Cognitive Performance under Different Environmental Conditions
Faculty Sponsor
Anna Marie Medina, Gonzaga University
Research Project Abstract
When you are stressed about an upcoming test, do you prefer to study in a noisy coffee shop or in a silent library cubicle? Our research examined how well or poorly students perform on cognitive tasks in different environmental conditions. Participants were given a Stroop test and assigned at random either a noise or no noise condition. Participants completed pre- and post-test questionnaires to evaluate their perceived stress. We found a main effect for high stress and errors, as well as a marginal statistically significant interaction between initial stress and assigned condition.
Session Number
RS12
Location
Robinson 210
Abstract Number
RS12-a
Cognitive Performance under Different Environmental Conditions
Robinson 210
When you are stressed about an upcoming test, do you prefer to study in a noisy coffee shop or in a silent library cubicle? Our research examined how well or poorly students perform on cognitive tasks in different environmental conditions. Participants were given a Stroop test and assigned at random either a noise or no noise condition. Participants completed pre- and post-test questionnaires to evaluate their perceived stress. We found a main effect for high stress and errors, as well as a marginal statistically significant interaction between initial stress and assigned condition.
