Silence is golden? Not when it comes to creativity!

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I have written about my morning routine.  I head off to my local coffee shop, St. Elmo’s, after my morning prayer rituals, where I read the papers and have discussions with my friends.  And, on occasion, I whip out my computer (laptop, netbook, or tablet) to accomplish some of my other daily tasks.  I occasionally return to St. Elmo’s in the evening, to review the days events, finish a task or two, and prepare for the next day of clients’ needs. At home, I have a TV on, usually the radio,  and do some more work.   And, during the day (when I am not in discourse with my clients), I have the radio on, as well as music streaming from my computer.

Alexandria Music Legends adorn the wall of St. Elmos
Alexandria Music Legends adorn the wall of St. Elmos

Of course, by now, you are wondering,  “Who cares, Roy?”.  The answer is you should.  Because you see, the ways we were taught and probably teach our kids- are wrong. It turns out that moderate levels (ok, I exceed these norms, for sure) of noise, affords our brains the ability to be more creative.  Ravi Mehta (U Illnois), Rui Zhu (U British Columbia), and Amar Cheema (UVa) have an article in the hopper at the Journal of Consumer Research entitled Is Noise Always Bad?

The researchers examined the effects of noise on the ability of some 300 people to perform assigned tasks.  The noise levels chosen were low (50 db), moderate (70 db) and high (85 db).  The authors used the noises from cafeterias, roadside noise, and construction sites in this effort.  (Only one experiment had “no” noise- but there still were ambient sounds.) The assigned tasks included word-association games and product development brainstorming, among others.  An additional test involved people responding to queries about consumer products.

In the moderate noise milieu, the subjects scored higher levels on the word-association tests.  Peer reviews determined that the brainstorming results were more creative in this same moderate noise environment.  And, in that last test, the more innovative of the consumer products were rated higher under the moderate noise conditions.

Some of the participants had their heart rates studied.  This was to determine if the noise levels served to energize the subjects.  However, since the heart rates returned to normal shortly after the onset of the study, the researchers concluded that this was not an issue.  (Of course, it is possible that it is this initial enervation that could render us more creative for an hour or two…)

So, given the inverted U shape results- the sweet spot for creativity and original thought that exists between silence and ear-splitting cacophony-  it’s time to rethink your study and creative habits.

Roy A. Ackerman, Ph.D., E.A.

P.S.  This group of researchers also have studied the effects of colors (especially red and blue) on our creative activity, too.
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29 thoughts on “Silence is golden? Not when it comes to creativity!”

  1. I will testify to the fact that a bit of noise is helpful in the creative process. At night, when I am working on the etching art, I have the tele on (not that I watch it, I don’t) but the noise helps me focus. When I am in the paint studio, I have my music on and…*whispers* I sing shamelessly. Being forced to drown out the noise a bit to focus on whatever project I am doing, creates a very creative space for me. 🙂

  2. I agree that background noise is a good thing. I have the TV on all day but seldom sit down and watch it. I also have the radio on when I am driving my vehicle. It is good to learn that this noise is making me more creative.
    I used to want complete silence when I went to bed at night but now I could sleep with ear-splitting cacophony next door. ( I love the way you help me increase my vocabulary, Roy!)
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  3. This explains why I’ve been getting so much accomplished when I write with my iTunes playing at a low level on my computer in the background. After years in production, I learned to create a high degree of focus when surrounded by noise and distraction. In the silence of working at home, I don’t have the usual ambient noise. Looks like I intuitively figured out your formula for creative success! Good to know.
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  4. I have tried to work to music, like Mozart. I wind up trying to type in time to the music and typed worse than usual, as for thinking. I was following the music instead of my thoughts. On the other hand I have a son who had to have his metallic music playing (he used ear phones, thank heavens) in order to do his work. When I was substitute teaching, I would not take away someone’s music because of my experience with Robert. I don’t think there is only one way. I think there are many ways. Now I have a ceiling fan rustling softly. Don’t forget that “shibboleth” also just means “manner, characteristic and trait.”
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    1. Ann:
      So sorry music and other noise did not help you.
      But, I will take issue with the new age definition for shibboleth- that’s the bottom definition used by folks who don’t want to be called out for their outdated superstitions- and are trying to cloak it as their manners, characteristics, or traits. 13 comes to mind right off the bat…

      Roy

  5. Lol! I was discussing this with my mother the other day. She feels that I have too much noise around me! 😉

    I always have some kind of music of at least the radio running for a part of the time I am working. But I find that after a long time, I find it a little difficult to concentrate. I mean, too much noise becomes a distraction. I always make it a nix between some noise and some silence.
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    1. Hajra:
      You have no idea what “white” noise is unless and until you enter my office.
      You just made me recall an anecdote from 40 years ago. I was in charge of the development of a new product to recycle water for the home and small commercial buildings. And, I was hard at work developing the mathematical model, when this gentleman entered my office (without notice) and began asking me if I was interfering with the others in the adjoining skunkroom. Without really looking up (his words later to me), I replied- we are all working hard trying to get this product out. If you would like to help, pull up a chair outside. Otherwise, you are just an impediment (not quite my words) and the noise is meant to repel you….

      That’s how I met the Chairman of the Board of the firm…

      Roy

  6. I’ve always thought this to be true Roy. In fact even during my classroom work time I often played soft classical music. I wondered if it was just similiar to white noise where it took out other more distracting sounds but when doing art, math or other focussed work it made such a difference.
    Of course the noise has to be ‘right’ for the task. I found music with words the kids knew more distracting because they’d end up wanting to sing along, which of course can be fine in some instances.
    I also much prefer to have music playing but the level of the volume makes such a difference for me. I wonder how volume difference work for different people and how that might affect brainstorming.

    Very interesting and I’m sure every teen ager wanting to study with their ipod on is thrilled about this study! lol
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  7. Darn it Roy, I love to listen to music while working! But I also love the quiet time too. I grew up with 5 other siblings – so our home was always noisy. I guess I got use to that, but I do prefer quiet time as I believe I can concentrate better. But as far as creativity, I do enjoy listening to music, even having the TV on in the background has actually provided me with verbiage I was looking for!

    1. The crux of this research is not whether we like something or not, but whether we are more creative when there is moderate noise. And, that’s exactly what you find for yourself.
      Glad you liked the post- and saw yourself in it, Lynn…

      Roy

  8. I agree that a bit of noise is certainly helpful. I know there is nothing worse than working in an office whereby you could hear a pin drop. That’s when I reach for the headphones and pump some music into my brain.
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    1. And, I’m sure you have the music pumped out loud enough that we can all hear it :-), right, Janine?

      Seriously, though, we need the stimulation to keep our brains functioning at top performance levels.

      Roy

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  10. Hі, juѕt wаnted to saу, I liked thіs post.

    It was funny. Keep on posting!

  11. Roy, I often have quiet (i.e. classical) music playing in the background when I work. However, as author Julia Cameron writes, “Silence is how we catch our breath. Silence is how we hear ourselves think, and also how we can hear the still, small voice speaking within us.” So, I think there is a balance between the quiet times & the “noisy” ones. Thanks for sharing this interesting study. ~Debra
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