Final answer:
The statement is true, as noise that interferes with the detection of stimuli can come from various irrelevant environmental stimuli. The concept falls under signal detection theory in psychology, which explains how we discern information amidst noise, such as in the examples of mothers hearing their babies or air traffic controllers identifying planes on a radar screen.
Step-by-step explanation:
True, noise that interferes with the ability to detect stimuli can indeed come from any irrelevant stimuli in the environment. This is a principle that is captured by signal detection theory, which is a means of quantifying the ability to discern between informational signals and noise. The environment is full of various stimuli, and the noise of interest could be auditory, like the bustle of a busy road, or visual, like unnecessary information on a radar screen for an air traffic controller.
In psychology, this concept is particularly relevant when discussing perceptual processes. For example, motivation plays a crucial role in perception. If a person is highly motivated to detect a specific stimulus, they are more likely to perceive it, even amidst substantial background noise. This is why a mother might wake up from a slight murmur of her baby but remain undisturbed by other sounds. Similarly, air traffic controllers are trained to distinguish plane signals from other irrelevant blips on their radar screens, a task that has been optimized through the applications of signal detection theory.
High levels of noise can affect our ability to perceive other sensory information. The relevant physical quantity here is sound intensity. It determines the loudness of a sound and thereby its potential to be a distracting noise. Such a distraction can happen in various scenarios, such as trying to converse while loud music is playing or the sudden noise of shattering glass that captures everyone's attention regardless of their focus. Hence, this principle also applies to everyday experiences of sensory overload.
Perception is not only about sensitivity to stimuli but also about the ability to filter out irrelevant information. External stimuli, whether a sound, light, or other sensory input, that distract from the primary stimulus of interest can be classed as noise. In conclusion, the interference caused by noise is a significant consideration in understanding human sensory perception and is fundamental to the study of cognitive processes in psychology.