Noise within the social context: Annoyance reduction through fair procedures

Abstract

The social context of noise exposure is a codeterminant of noise annoyance. The present study shows that fairness of the exposure procedure ͑sound management͒ can be used as an instrument to reduce noise annoyance. In a laboratory experiment ͑N = 117͒ participants are exposed to aircraft sound of different sound pressure level ͑SPL: 50 vs 70 dB A͒-which is experienced as noisewhile they work on a reading task. The exposure procedure ͑fair versus neutral͒ is modeled in line with findings from social justice theory. In the fair condition, participants can voice their preference for a certain sound sample, although they cannot deduce whether their preference is granted. In the neutral condition, participants are not asked to voice their preference. Results show the predicted interaction effect of sound pressure level and procedure on annoyance: Annoyance ratings are significantly lower in the fair condition than in the neutral condition, but this effect is found only in the 70 dB condition. When the SPL is considerably disturbing, fair procedures reduce noise annoyance. Consequences of the reported findings for both theory and practice are discussed.

Evaluating noise in social context: The effect of procedural unfairness on noise annoyance judgments

“…In other words: Can a procedurally unfair interaction with the operators of the sound source cause excess noise annoyance? The present experiment largely replicates the earlier experiment by Maris et al ͑2007͒. Participants go through a noise management procedure before they are to perform a reading task while being exposed to annoying sound ͑played at 50 or 70 dB A͒.…”

“…1; for a more detailed description of the experimental model see Maris et al ͑2007͔͒. In the model, noise annoyance is represented as an expression of psychological stress, arising when the perceived level of disturbance due to the sound outgrows the perceived level of control over the sound ͑"internal processes"͒. People are expected to pay attention to the sound and to the sound management procedure; therefore both are included on the stimulus side of the model ͑"external processes"͒.…”

Sounds perceived as annoying by hearing-aid users in their daily soundscape

“…The notations also indicated that the perception of the annoyance depended on the possibility to influence or control the annoying sound. It was previously shown that the possibility to control a sound source was of great importance for the degree of annoyance (Maris et al, 2007). Consequently, a limitation in the ability to influence the surroundings can affect the ability to cope or endure annoying sounds.…”

Incorporating annoyance in airport environmental policy: noise, societal response and community participation

“…Lack of trust has been one of the elements that has undermined the relationship between Gavà Mar residents and the other the stakeholders. Maris et al (2007Maris et al ( , p. 2001 have shown that ''if the exposed has little control over the source, or little trust in the source, the perceived coping resources will be reduced and psychological stress will arise". This also holds true for the case of Barcelona airport.…”