Measures of Attention as Predictors of Flight Performance

Author(s):  
Robert A. North ◽  
Daniel Gopher

A new technique for measuring individual differences in basic attention capabilities and the validity of these differences in predicting success in flight training were investigated. The testing system included a digit-processing, reaction-time task and a one-dimensional compensatory tracking task. Comparisons were made between separate and concurrent performances of thesetasks, with both equal and shifting task priorities. Adaptive techniques were employed to obtain maximum performance levels for each subject in the single-task condition and to maintain dual-task difficulty within subjects. Consistent individual differences in basic attention capabilities were observed and several dimensions of attention capabilities are suggested. A preliminary validation study compared scores for flight instructors and student pilots. In addition, the student sample was dichotomized based on performance in training. There were reliable differences for both groups on dual-task performance efficiency.

1974 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert A. North ◽  
Daniel Gopher

A two-stage study was conducted to assess the potential of a new methodological technique for measuring individual differences in basic attention capabilities and the validity of these differences in predicting success in flight training. A performance testing system included a digit-processing reaction-time task and a one-dimensional compensatory tracking task. Comparisons were made between separate and concurrent performances of these tasks, and simultaneous performances also included comparisons involving changes in task priorities. Results indicating consistent individual differences in basic attention capabilities suggest several dimensions for their description. A preliminary validation study compared scores for a group of 11 flight instructors and with a group of 32 student pilots. In addition, the student sample was dichotomized based on performance in training. There were reliable differences for both groups on combined task performance efficiency.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caitlyn Johnston ◽  
William E. Davis

In the present study, we examined how the influence of exercise-related social media content on exercise motivation might differ across content type (with images vs. without images) and account type (individual vs. corporate). Using a 2 × 2 within-subjects experimental design, 229 participants viewed a series of 40 actual social media posts across the four conditions (individual posts with images, corporate posts with images, individual posts without images, and corporate posts without images) in a randomized order. Participants rated the extent to which they felt each social media post motivated them to exercise, would motivate others to exercise, and was posted for extrinsic reasons. Participants also completed other measures of individual differences including their own exercise motivation. Posts with images from individuals were more motivating than posts with images from corporations; however, corporate posts without images were more motivating than posts without images from individuals. Participants expected others to be similarly motivated by the stimuli, and perceived corporate posts as having been posted for more extrinsic reasons than individuals’ posts. These findings enhance our understanding of how social media may be used to promote positive health behaviors.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Whitney R. Ringwald ◽  
Aidan G.C. Wright

Empathy theoretically serves an affiliative interpersonal function by satisfying motives for intimacy and union with others. Accordingly, empathy is expected to vary depending on the situation. Inconsistent empirical support for empathy’s affiliative role may be due to methodology focused on individual differences in empathy or differences between controlled experimental conditions, which fail to capture its dynamic and interpersonal nature. To address these shortcomings, we used ecological momentary assessment to establish typical patterns of empathy across everyday interactions. Associations among empathy, affect, and interpersonal behavior of self and interaction partner were examined in a student sample (N=330), then replicated in a pre-registered community sample (N=279). Multi-level structural equation modeling was used to distinguish individual differences in empathy from interaction-level effects. Results show people are more empathetic during positively-valanced interactions with others perceived as warm and when expressing warmth. By confirming the typically affiliative role of empathy, existing research to the contrary can be best understood as exceptions to the norm.


1983 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 117-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rolf Braune ◽  
Christopher D. Wickens

Performance in single task and dual task configurations was examined across four different age groups to determine the presence of an attention deficit hypothesis with increasing chronological age. Although a general slowing of performance could be shown no interaction between age and dual task loadings could be observed which is interpreted as negative evidence for the attention deficit hypothesis. A separate analysis revealed individual differences in time-sharing ability within age groups to be a significant factor in dual task performance.


2021 ◽  
Vol 92 (3) ◽  
pp. 167-171
Author(s):  
Bilal Kilic

INTRODUCTION: Pilots are more aware of drugs and self-medication in the internet age. However, they are unaware of the effects of self-medication, which may impede their cognitive and decision-making performance. The aim of this study was to determine the awareness levels of ab initio (student) pilots on self-medication and factors contributing to the prevalence of self-medication among them. To the best of the authors knowledge, this is the first study examining ab initio pilots knowledge on medication use and the causality of self-medication among them.METHODS: A 17-item questionnaire was developed and administered online to 500 students across 5 flight training organizations (FTO) in Turkey. The response rate was 97/500. For the descriptive analysis of the data, SPSS (the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) was used.RESULTS: Based on the results, fear of medical disqualification and job loss is the most significant factor resulting in the prevalence of self-medication among ab initio pilots. Most of the ab initio pilots (88.7%, N 86) were aware of self-medication and its threat to flight safety. Furthermore, three factors influencing the level of awareness and knowledge of ab initio pilots on this subject were evaluated.DISCUSSION: All flight training organizations should educate ab initio pilots on the consequences of self-medication. Furthermore, ab initio pilots should be encouraged to consult an aeromedical examiner with any ailment before a flight.Kilic B. Self-medication among ab initio pilots. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2021; 92(3):167171.


1985 ◽  
Vol 29 (8) ◽  
pp. 755-758
Author(s):  
Jani Gabriel Byrne ◽  
Nancy S. Anderson

This study examined the influence of training on individual differences in time-sharing response strategies for a dual-task. Using early performance measures in a dual-task, subjects were classified on Day 1 as performing in either a simultaneous, alternating, or massed fashion. On Day 2, subjects received training instructions to either upgrade or maintain their particular response strategy. The results indicated that training was successful in the majority of the cases. Close inspection of performance revealed that subjects who were not able to achieve simultaneity had learned the dual-task response pattern, but were responding too slowly.


Author(s):  
Harald Ewolds ◽  
Laura Broeker ◽  
Rita F. de Oliveira ◽  
Markus Raab ◽  
Stefan Künzell

Abstract This study examined the effect of instructions and feedback on the integration of two tasks. Task-integration of covarying tasks are thought to help dual-task performance. With complete task integration of covarying dual tasks, a dual task becomes more like a single task and dual-task costs should be reduced as it is no longer conceptualized as a dual task. In the current study we tried to manipulate the extent to which tasks are integrated. We covaried a tracking task with an auditory go/no-go task and tried to manipulate the extent of task-integration by using two different sets of instructions and feedback. A group receiving task-integration promoting instructions and feedback (N = 18) and a group receiving task-separation instructions and feedback (N = 20) trained on a continuous tracking task. The tracking task covaried with the auditory go/no-go reaction time task because high-pitch sounds always occurred 250 ms before turns, which has been demonstrated to foster task integration. The tracking task further contained a repeating segment to investigate implicit learning. Results showed that instructions, feedback, or participants’ conceptualization of performing a single task versus a dual task did not significantly affect task integration. However, the covariation manipulation improved performance in both the tracking and the go/no-go task, exceeding performance in non-covarying and single tasks. We concluded that task integration between covarying motor tasks is a robust phenomenon that is not influenced by instructions or feedback.


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