Vigilance

Abstract

This study tested the possibility that the temporal context in which a vigilance task is performed will moderate the perceived workload of the task. We employed a procedure to manipulate participants’ perceived time progression (PTP) during task performance by creating a mismatch between their expectations about how long they would perform the task and the actual time they were engaged (Sackett et al., 2010). All participants worked at the task for 30 minutes. Those in a time drags condition were led to believe it would last 15 minutes while those in a time flies condition were told it would last 60 minutes. PTP was significantly slower in the former condition than in the latter. However, workload scores on the NASA Task Load Index were similar in the two conditions and fell at the upper level of the scale. Evidently, vigilance tasks are perceived as hard work even when time flies.

Short Vigilance Tasks are Hard Work Even If Time Flies

“…Similar to Dillard et al (2013) the results of this study found no difference between the experimental conditions regarding the temporal manipulation for task performance, hedonic ratings, and perceived mental workload. Performance in all conditions declined significantly overtime which is typically found in sustained attention tasks, See Figure1.…”

“…Error bars are standard errors.WhileSackett et al (2010) was able to find that accelerating the participant's PTP led to higher rating in the pleasantness of the task which were mundane, tedious, irritating, and challenging, this did not translate to participating in a sustained attention task. This finding confirmsDillard et al (2013) conclusion that the temporal context is not a moderating variable for the perceived mental workload of a vigilance task. Additionally these results confirms the finding that participants find vigilance tasks as unpleasant and mentally demanding tasks(Warm, Parasuraman, & Matthews 2008) and even when the perceive time to fly by.…”

“…However sustained attention plays a critical role in numerous operational settings where human operators must monitor automated human-machine systems in the event of potential problems. The current study extended the work from Dillard and his colleagues (Dillard, Warm, Funke, Vidulich, Nelson, Eggemeier, et al, 2013) who explored if there are other dimensions that might affect the workload associated with performing a vigilance task. The area that they explored was the temporal context of the vigilance task on its effects on task performance and perceived mental workload.…”

“…Immediately following the 12 min vigil, the participants filled out a hedonic and temporal evaluation of the task on a 7-point scale. This scale was identical in nature to Sackett et al (2010) and Dillard et al (2013) which consist of eight questions related to the enjoyment of the task, engagement, fun, challenge, skill required, pleasantness, and willingness to participate in a longer task in the future. The participants were also asked to indicate how time seemed to progress on a similar 7-point scale (1 = time dragged, 7 = time flew).…”

Performance in Vigilance Tasks is Related to Both State and Contextual Motivation

“…This decline in performance is referred to as the vigilance decrement (Davies & Parasuraman, 1982;See, Howe, Warm, & Dember, 1995). Vigilance tasks have also been shown to induce high levels of perceived mental workload and stress (Dillard et al, 2013;Warm, Parasuraman, & Matthews, 2008). However, there are some individual differences that moderate these effects.…”