Creating safe auditory environments for people with intellectual disabilities

Peterson, W (2014) Creating safe auditory environments for people with intellectual disabilities. Master's Thesis / Essay, Artificial Intelligence.

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Abstract

Current theories in soundscape research state that in order to be in a positive mood we need sonic environments that enable this. Recent work on the understanding of sonic environments of people with intellectual disabilities (ID) and their reaction to these environments showed there is much to be gained for this group. This thesis attempts to determine whether current theories on soundscapes also hold for people with intellectual disabilities and in what way this could be used to improve their living environments. 21 persons with intellectual disabilities were brought into several different and artificially created sonic environments. By varying how perceptually demanding the environments were and how strongly they featured natural source characteristics, an attempt was made to determine whether or not the responses of this particular group are in line with current theories based on the general population. During their exposure to these environments the mood of the participants was rated by their caretakers. Afterwards a questionnaire survey and a brainstorm session were held to gain additional information on how the caretakers thought the sound influenced the clients. Results show that proper (sonic) environments can allow people with ID to reach more positive mental states. What constitutes these environments, to what extent sound is a factor in this - compared to elements such as the presence of caretakers - and what kind of sonic environments work best for this group was not clearly established and remains a subject for further research.

Item Type:	Thesis (Master's Thesis / Essay)
Degree programme:	Artificial Intelligence
Thesis type:	Master's Thesis / Essay
Language:	English
Date Deposited:	15 Feb 2018 07:58
Last Modified:	15 Feb 2018 07:58
URI:	https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/11959

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