Kajian Psikologi dan Kesehatan Mental
Vol 3 No 1 (2025): Maret

Language Noise Effects on Working Memory in University Students: A Between-Subjects Experimental Study

Agus Jatnika (Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia)
Nadhiza Ghassani (Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia)
Maritza Ramadhanti (Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia)
Niar Larasati (Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia)
Sabrina Katon (Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
06 Mar 2025

Abstract

Purpose: This study examined whether exposure to 70 dB language noise significantly affects working memory performance among undergraduate psychology students at Universitas Padjadjaran. Research Methodology: A between-subjects experimental design was employed involving 46 psychology students selected through stratified random sampling based on SNBT 2023 scores. Participants were randomly assigned to a control group (n = 23) or an experimental group exposed to 70 dB language noise (n = 23). Working memory was measured using the Digit Span Forward Task administered via PsyToolkit. Data were analyzed using the Mann Whitney U test.Results: The control group achieved a higher mean digit span score (M = 6.70, SD = 1.22) than the experimental group (M = 6.09, SD = 1.41). However, the difference was not statistically significant (U = 200.000, z = ?1.455, p = .073), with a small effect size (r = 0.214).Conclusions: Exposure to 70 dB language noise did not significantly impair working memory performance. Nevertheless, the lower mean score in the experimental group suggests a potential negative effect that may be influenced by individual differences.Limitations: The small sample size, online experimental setting, and lack of noise sensitivity measurement may have reduced the ability to detect significant effects.Contributions: This study extends noise-cognition research in the Indonesian university context and highlights the importance of incorporating noise sensitivity measures and stronger experimental controls in future studies.

Copyrights © 2025






Journal Info

Abbrev

kpkm

Publisher

Subject

Humanities Environmental Science Health Professions

Description

Kajian Psikologi dan Kesehatan Mental (KPKM) is a national, peer-reviewed and scholarly journal, which accepts and publishes high-quality article discussing various interesting issues on psychology and mental health. Kajian Psikologi dan Kesehatan Mental (KPKM) welcomes researchers, practitioners ...