Since the effects were small, this may suggest that our creative thinking doesn’t differ that much in response to total silence and 85 decibels of background noise - the equivalent of a loud garbage disposal or a quiet motorcycle. The differences between most of the groups were statistically insignificant however, the participants in the 70 decibels group (those exposed to a level of noise similar to background chatter in a coffee shop) significantly outperformed the other groups. Depending on the group, participants were exposed to various noise levels in the background, from total silence to 50 decibels, 70 decibels, and 85 decibels. Participants were randomized into four groups and everyone was asked to complete a Remote Associates Test (a commonly used measurement that judges creative thinking by asking test-takers to find the relationship between a series of words that, as first glance, appear unrelated). The researchers, led by Ravi Mehta of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, examined various levels of noise on participants as they completed tests of creative thinking.

One study, published in the Journal of Consumer Research, found that the right level of ambient noise triggers our minds to think more creatively. That’s why you might focus really well in a noisy coffee shop, but barely be able to concentrate in a noisy office. Instead of total silence, the ideal work environment for creative work has a little bit of background noise. In fact, some level of office banter in the background might actually benefit our ability to do creative tasks, provided we don’t get drawn into the conversation. But new research shows that it may not be the sound itself that distracts us…it may be who is making it.

Openoffice draw background