Study of cell phone distraction

In a study published in PLoS One, college students were asked to complete cognitive tasks that required concentration.   They were divided into two groups:   one group was in the room with someone carrying on a conversation on her cellphone;  the other group was in a room where two people were carrying on the same conversation.

The first group was far more distracted and did less well on the puzzle-solving problem.   One explanation interested me:  Our brains are set up to focus on things that are novel or unexpected, and we try to figure them out.   When you hear only one side of a conversation, each new piece of it is a surprise, and your brain gets busy trying to imagine what the other person said.   That is distracting from the task.

There's even a word for hearing half a dialogue:  it's called a "halfalogue."

Another study tested the common belief that people talk louder on a cellphone than they would in an ordinary conversation.   This is not true, according to actual measure of sound levels comparing both.  But, even so, people typically feel that the person is talking too loud.  The explanation:  when we feel we are trapped, or something is unavoidable, we tend to over-rate it.  Public cellphone use is one of the top pet peeves among Americans in a survey.

There is one counter-tactic I tried once:  jump into the conversation yourself.   Comment on what you hear, like, "Oh, my God.  How awful for you.  What did you do then?"   Apparently I didn't say it loudly enough, and I don't think the cellphoner heard me.  But I felt better.

But, think about it.   How could she object?  She's the one making her conversation public.  You can innocently counter that you thought she was eliciting suggestions or advice.  If she complains, sweetly suggest she might rather find a more private place for her private conversations.   But I'm taking bets:  10 to 1 you would, at least, be accused of being rude.

Modern life.   Bah humbug  !!

Ralph