Effect of White Noise on Disinhibition of Verbal Expression

Two groups each composed of 10 male Ss were required to tell E about an embarrassing situation, in nonsense language, under two conditions: with white noise masking their speech and without white noise. 16 of 20 Ss uttered more English words and 18 of 20 talked for a greater length of time in the white noise condition. Latency was not significantly affected by the white noise. The average number of syllables spoken per 15 sec. was significantly greater under white noise, for both groups combined and separately only for the second or replication group. The results are interpreted to indicate a process of disinhibition of speech under white noise.