Effects of training with knowledge of results on diagnosticity in vigilance performance

Vigilance, also referred to as sustained attention, is the ability to maintain attention for extended periods of time while monitoring for, oftentimes, critical signals. In attempt to aid performance decrements in vigilance tasks, previous research has examined the effects of knowledge of results (KR). In essence, KR provides feedback on performance, and is argued to enhance the understanding of task structure and motivation to complete the task successfully. However, relatively little is known about how individual differences, such as observer sex, influence KR effects in vigilance. In the present study, 73 observers completed a 25-minute vigilance task in which they were required to monitor flight paths. Observers were randomly assigned to either a KR condition, in which feedback was given for correct detections, false alarms, and misses, or a control condition, where no feedback was provided. The results indicated that small sex differences were found for correct detections and false alarms, as a function of KR.

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Effect of Three Kinds of Knowledge-Of-Results Information on Three Measures of Vigilance Performance

Perceptual and Motor Skills ◽

10.2466/pms.1964.18.3.901 ◽

1964 ◽

Vol 18 (3) ◽

pp. 901-912 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Ralph McC. Chinn ◽

Earl A. Alluisi

Keyword(s):

Vigilance Performance ◽

Knowledge Of Results

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Effects of Aircraft Noise on Vigilance Performance and Perceived Workload

Proceedings of the Human Factors Society Annual Meeting ◽

10.1177/154193129203601832 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 36 (18) ◽

pp. 1513-1517 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ami B. Becker ◽

Joel S. Warm ◽

William N. Dember ◽

JoAnn Sparnall ◽

Laura DeRonde

Keyword(s):

Vigilance Task ◽

Aircraft Noise ◽

Maximum Intensity ◽

Perceptual Sensitivity ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Vigilance Performance ◽

Knowledge Of Results ◽

Perceived Workload ◽

Signal Detectability ◽

The Right

This study examined the effects of exposure to intermittent jet aircraft noise played through stereophonic speakers (70dBA or 95dBA maximum intensity) on performance efficiency and perceived workload in a 40-min visual vigilance task. The noise featured a Doppler-like quality in which planes seemed to approach from the monitor's left and recede to the right. Performance in noise, measured in terms of perceptual sensitivity (d***'), was significantly poorer than in a quiet condition. Moreover, in comparison to subjects performing in quiet, those who operated in noise were less able to profit from knowledge of results (KR) regarding performance efficiency. In addition to its negative effects upon signal detectability, noise significantly elevated perceived workload, as indexed by the NASA-TLX. This effect was robust; it was not mitigated by KR, even though KR served generally to reduce the overall level of perceived workload in the study. The consistency of the effects of noise in regard to both performance efficiency and perceived workload challenges a recent conclusion offered by Koelega and Brinkman (1986) that lawful relations are not observable in studies of the effects of noise on vigilant behavior.

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Continuous vs. Partial Knowledge of Results in Training for Vigilance

Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting ◽

10.1177/154193120004402102 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 44 (21) ◽

pp. 3-386-3-389 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

James L. Szalma ◽

Kelley S. Parsons ◽

Joel S. Warm ◽

William N. Dember

Keyword(s):

Motor Skills ◽

Predictive Power ◽

Training Effect ◽

Partial Knowledge ◽

Motor Tasks ◽

Vigilance Performance ◽

Signal Ratio ◽

Superiority Effect ◽

Knowledge Of Results ◽

Performance Accuracy

Several experiments on training for vigilance have reported that training with feedback in the form of knowledge of results (KR) enhances performance efficiency. Research in motor skills has shown that training with a partial-KR regimen (KR provided only during some portions of training) is more effective than training with a continuous-KR regimen. The goal for the present study was to determine if this partial-KR training effect also extends to vigilance performance. Positive predictive power (PPP), a decision theory measure (Elwood, 1993), was used to assess performance accuracy; Craig's (1978) response-to-signal ratio was used to evaluate response bias. Observers trained with both forms of KR were more conservative (lower response-to-signal ratios) in responding, and more accurate when they did respond (higher PPP scores), than those who did not receive KR training. The response-to-signal ratios and the PPP scores of observers in the two KR conditions did not differ significantly from one another. Hence, the partial-KR superiority effect observed with motor tasks may not extend to vigilance tasks.

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Effects of Visual and Auditory Knowledge of Results and Reward on Vigilance Performance

Perceptual and Motor Skills ◽

10.2466/pms.1974.38.3.831 ◽

1974 ◽

Vol 38 (3) ◽

pp. 831-836

Author(s):

Marvin E. Grunzke ◽

Roger E. Kirk ◽

Steven C. Fischer

Keyword(s):

Vigilance Task ◽

Probability Of Detection ◽

Monetary Reward ◽

Treatment Combination ◽

Vigilance Performance ◽

Knowledge Of Results ◽

Contingent Reward ◽

Independent Variables ◽

Visual Knowledge ◽

And Performance

The effects of several procedures for providing knowledge of results (KR) and monetary reward on performance of a visual vigilance task were investigated. 72 Ss monitored a simulated CRT for 3 hr. The independent variables were visual KR versus no visual KR, auditory KR versus no auditory KR, and performance-contingent monetary reward versus noncontingent monetary reward. Probability of detection was significantly higher for the knowledge of results conditions and for performance-contingent reward than for the respective control conditions. The most effective treatment combination was visual knowledge of results combined with performance-contingent reward.

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Vigilance performance as related to task instructions, coaction, and knowledge of results

Bulletin of the Psychonomic Society ◽

10.3758/bf03329697 ◽

1978 ◽

Vol 12 (4) ◽

pp. 325-328 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

James M. Huntermark ◽

Kenneth L. Witte

Keyword(s):

Vigilance Performance ◽

Knowledge Of Results ◽

Task Instructions

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Multiple Monitors and Knowledge of Results in Vigilance: The Decrement Still Wins

Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting ◽

10.1177/154193129604002316 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 40 (23) ◽

pp. 1222-1226 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Peter J. Ceplenski ◽

Mark W. Scerbo ◽

Debra A. Major

Keyword(s):

Signal Detection ◽

False Alarms ◽

Vigilance Decrement ◽

Vigilance Performance ◽

Knowledge Of Results ◽

Attention Tasks ◽

The Social ◽

Absolute Judgement ◽

Multiple Monitors ◽

Practical Implications

Research has demonstrated that knowledge of results (KR) can improve vigilance performance and that certain types of KR can even eliminate the vigilance decrement. Likewise, researchers have shown that having a number of operators perform a vigil in a multiple-monitor setting can also increase performance on sustained attention tasks. The present study was conducted to determine if using KR in a multiple-monitor setting would eliminate the vigilance decrement and improve performance as measured by signal detection indices. Subjects completed an absolute judgement task either in pairs or individually and received KR to hits, false alarms, misses, or no KR. The results indicated that even KR in a multiple-monitor paradigm was not sufficient to combat the vigilance decrement. Characteristics of the task, the social interaction between monitors, the use of signal detection indices, and the practical implications of the findings are discussed.

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