Dr. Bell is interested in whether or not distraction has an adverse effect on memory.

Research participants are asked to sit down and read a short story. They are told that there will

be a short quiz on the story, once they are done. In one group, research participants are left alone

to read the story. In another group, the researcher has a noisy argument with an assistant within

earshot of the research participants. At the end all of the research participants are quizzed on the

story.