Preserving the vitality and atmosphere of a city: how the silent majority rates the attractiveness of children’s voices and temple bell sounds

While temple bell sounds and children’s voices add atmosphere and vitality to cities, complaints about these sounds are increasing. This study examines the psychological mechanisms underlying complaints about noise pollution near parks and temples. Two randomised control trials, each with a unique sample of 2,000 Japanese participants, were conducted. The results demonstrate that the spread of social media has upended the spiral of silence theory, resulting in disregard for the silent majority’s opinions. Utilizing cognitive dissonance theory insights, the negative impact of women’s trade-off between careers and pregnancy is extended to complaints about children’s voices. The study finds that women who gave up pregnancy for their careers have difficulty accepting children’s voices.