Impulsive children more vulnerable to classroom noise, study finds

‘Less focused’ children will face ‘a downward spiral’ if classroom noise is not controlled, Lamiat Sabin reports

A total of 350 children aged seven to 11 were involved in the study (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Children who find it difficult to concentrate on schoolwork are “more annoyed and easily distracted” by noise in the classroom compared to their less-impulsive peers, according to a new study.

The finding by researchers at the University of Portsmouth contradicts previous assumptions that pupils who are less focused do not care about, or are not affected by, other distractions.

A total of 350 children aged between seven and 11 were involved in the study to gauge how they had been impacted by noise in the classroom.

The researchers asked the pupils to rate how different noises affected their attention in class. Teachers were also asked questions relating to each child’s usual temperament while at school.

The results showed a correlation between the children who were identified by teachers as struggling with “effortful control” and those who had negative attitudes towards noise.

Effortful control is a psychological term used to describe an aspect of self-regulation linked to emotional reactivity and behaviour.

Children low in effortful control may find it more difficult to resist interrupting others, sit still in class, plan for the future, and motivate themselves to do difficult or unpleasant tasks.

Dr Jessica Massonnie, of the School of Education and Sociology and the University of Portsmouth, said this revealed that pupils more vulnerable to distractions were more likely to have difficulties engaging with and focusing on school work, and controlling their behaviour.

She said: “Our findings are important because they question the assumption that children who are perceived as difficult to engage in schoolwork ‘do not care about distractions’ – they do particularly care.

“These children report being more annoyed and easily distracted by noise. The danger is that these children who are already being labelled as less focused will face a downward spiral if noise levels in classrooms are not controlled.

“Interventions aimed at reducing classroom noise and improving effortful control might be particularly beneficial for the most noise-sensitive children.”

The study has been published in the journal International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.