Knowledge Of Results In A Monitoring Task
Report Number: AMRL TDR 62-82
Author(s): Wiener, Earl L.
Corporate Author(s): Miami Univ Coral Gables Fla
Laboratory: Behavioral Sciences Laboratory
Date of Publication: 1962-08
Pages: 50
Contract: Laboratory Research - No Contract
DoD Project: 7183
DoD Task: 718305
Identifier: AD0290059
Abstract:
An experiment was performed to determine the transfer effect of knowledge of results and signal rate on performance in a Mackworth-type vigilance task. Subjects were run the first day under feedback conditions of zero, partial, and full knowledge of results, and 16, 32, and 48 signals during a 48-minute run. On the second day all subjects were run under the conditions of zero knowledge of results and 32 signals. The results showed that the two experimental variables differentiated subjects on both the intial exposure and the transfer condition. In terms of percentage of signals detected, groups initially trained with knowledge of results and 32 signals. The results showed that the two experimental variables differentiated subjects on both the initial exposure and the transfer conditions. In terms of percentage of signals detected, groups initially trained with knowledge of results and high signal rates showed superior performance on both days. The usual decrement in performance over time was noted on both days. With respect to commissive errors, large individual differences contaminated the results. The data suggest that partial knowledge of results may encourage the operator to make more commissive errors than either zero or full feedback. The findings appear to recommend training with full knowledge of results and high signal rates when an operator must be placed in a situation with no knowledge of results and low signal rates.
Provenance: Lockheed Martin Missiles & Fire Control
Author(s): Wiener, Earl L.
Corporate Author(s): Miami Univ Coral Gables Fla
Laboratory: Behavioral Sciences Laboratory
Date of Publication: 1962-08
Pages: 50
Contract: Laboratory Research - No Contract
DoD Project: 7183
DoD Task: 718305
Identifier: AD0290059
Abstract:
An experiment was performed to determine the transfer effect of knowledge of results and signal rate on performance in a Mackworth-type vigilance task. Subjects were run the first day under feedback conditions of zero, partial, and full knowledge of results, and 16, 32, and 48 signals during a 48-minute run. On the second day all subjects were run under the conditions of zero knowledge of results and 32 signals. The results showed that the two experimental variables differentiated subjects on both the intial exposure and the transfer condition. In terms of percentage of signals detected, groups initially trained with knowledge of results and 32 signals. The results showed that the two experimental variables differentiated subjects on both the initial exposure and the transfer conditions. In terms of percentage of signals detected, groups initially trained with knowledge of results and high signal rates showed superior performance on both days. The usual decrement in performance over time was noted on both days. With respect to commissive errors, large individual differences contaminated the results. The data suggest that partial knowledge of results may encourage the operator to make more commissive errors than either zero or full feedback. The findings appear to recommend training with full knowledge of results and high signal rates when an operator must be placed in a situation with no knowledge of results and low signal rates.
Provenance: Lockheed Martin Missiles & Fire Control