Affective factors: A model of cognition under emotional states

2011 IEEE International Multi-Disciplinary Conference on Cognitive Methods in Situation Awareness and Decision Support (CogSIMA

2011

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Classical models of Situation Awareness (SA) describe it as a process involving self-agency, or as rooted in [externally directed] consciousness operating in a perceptual cycle. These models are robust for dynamic situations where events unfold gradually in the temporal dimension at a rate that is compatible with the ability of the human agent to process information, and where this information processing is largely unaffected by eventinduced [aversive] emotional arousal. A model for SA acquisition for situations that express rapid dynamics for a limited duration, which are non-prototypical in nature, and involve high stakes, including danger-induced emotional arousal, does not exist. These types of situations are typically encountered in mission critical domains such as law enforcement, firefighting, aviation, combat, etc. In these situations, the traditional models of SA predicated on conscious perception of situation elements and processing of information may not be appropriate, because the [slow] speed and [high] bandwidth of consciousness are suboptimal for the occasion, thus preventing the agent from realizing successful outcomes. Furthermore, unconsciousness, which has largely been ignored by SA theorists, plays a critical role in acquiring SA under these circumstances. This paper presents a model for SA, referred to as Somatic Situation Awareness (SSA), for situations such as those described above. The SSA model shows that the incorporation of two key findings from psychology and neurosciences, unconscious or attentiondriven orientation, and somatosensory processes, respectively, can adequately explain situation assessment for these special instances. In terms of the SA acquisition taxonomy, the aforesaid processes have been classified as belonging to the pre-cognitive phase. Next, the paper shows how this pre-cognitive phase of SA acquisition may influence the classical SA framework. Finally, the paper discusses the implications of SSA with regards to human-system design, computer cognition, technology and training.

Section: A Navymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Somatic Situation Awareness: A model for SA acquisition under imminent threat and severe time stress

2011 IEEE International Multi-Disciplinary Conference on Cognitive Methods in Situation Awareness and Decision Support (CogSIMA

2011

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“…2. The specific instances of human-system interaction may include, but are not limited to, HVHF states (temporally-stressed, risky and high stakes situation with the concomitant emotional arousal distorting, impoverishing or biasing cognitive processes [Rahman, 2006]). 3.…”

Section: Dpac: a Neo-gibsonian Model For Embodied Cognitionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This understanding of cognition usually results in the assumption that the human agent as having a robust repository and repertoire of semantic, linguistic or symbolic, and inferential reasoning abilities to inform the design of Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs). However, this may not hold ground when emotional arousal caused by high stakes action (e.g., police officer perceives an imminent threat to his life) modulates an agent's cognition (Rahman, 2006) depriving him of the repertoire of abilities mentioned above, including a loss of cognitive control (Norman & Shallice, 2000). Rahman (2007) developed a paradigm called High Velocity Human Factors (HVHF) to study human performance in nonequilibrium conditions (volatile, uncertain, complex and ambigous), which have the potential to cause imminent threat to the system and human agents, particularly in the context of mission critical domains (firefighting, combat, law enforcement, etc.).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Direct Perception-Action Coupling: A Neo-Gibsonian Model for Critical Human-Machine Interactions under Stress

Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual

2012

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The cognitive capacities of a human agent are significantly impoverished when operating under severe temporal and emotional stress. Currently, human-machine interaction under these circumstances is being informed by classical cognitive models, which treat the human agent as having a repertoire of undiminished cognitive capacities consisting of semantic, symbolic, and inferential reasoning abilities. Such an approach is unsuited when an agent’s mental capacities are reduced to simple perception-action mechanisms, due to functional decortication, under severe stress. Gibson’s direct perception provides a partial answer to this problem. This paper attempts to provide a more robust answer by putting direct perception under the light of recent advances made in human-machine interaction design and theory, neurosciences and embodied cognition. This resulted in the development of a model for human-machine interaction called Direct Perception-Action Coupling (DPAC). This model can be applied to inform the design of critical human-machine interactions that need to be flawlessly performed, often times under stress, to prevent catastrophic outcomes.

“…A literature review shows that HF\E sciences have addressed some aspects of nonequilibrium events in a piecemeal manner. They include, among others, situation awareness (Endsley & Jones, 1997), stress and military performance (Orasanu & Backer, 1996), recognition primed decision making (Klein, 1999), emotional modulation of cognition (Rahman, 2006). However, there is a need to move beyond a reductionist approach and integrate these disparate elements to study human capabilities and limitations in real world, real time settings that involve nonequilibrium situations.…”

Section: Human Factors Of Nonequilibrium Eventsmentioning

confidence: 99%

High Velocity Human Factors: Human Factors of Mission Critical Domains in Nonequilibrium

Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual

2007

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Mission critical domains (MCDs), such as fire fighting, military combat, etc., experience periods of nonequilibrium. This typically occurs when extended periods of low grade activity are punctuated by intense, high stakes actions unfolding at high velocities (e.g., fighting a fire, engaging in combat, etc.). These periods of nonequilibrium are typically characterized by volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity. Human agents operating under these conditions experience a variety of reactions, such as emotional modulation of cognition, recognition primed decision making, among others. To study this phenomenon a construct named High Velocity Human Factors (HVHF) is defined and described. On the practical side, the HVHF framework will be used to analyze demands placed on personnel operating in MCDs and inform the design of systems and solutions.