THE EFFECT OF PRIOR EXPOSURE TO A HARMFUL EVENT UPON SUBSEQUENT PERFORMANCE UNDER THREAT.
Abstract
The present study investigated effects of (1) the stated probability at .25 versus .85 with no pretest shock demonstration and (2) pretest shock demonstration versus no demonstration with the stated probability held constant at .65. Subjects were 70 entering aviation trainees. The task was a subject-paced, four-choice discrimination task. Ten subjects were used as controls, with the remainder divided among the experimental conditions. A 5-minute practice period without threat preceded a 5-minute experimental period for all conditions. It was concluded that (1) shock demonstration is not necessary, and its elimination would provide a more useful range for individual difference measurement; (2) .65 probability is better for producing measurable performance decrement than either the lower or higher extremes of .25 and .85; (3) threat perception as measured by mean performance level across time may be as useful a parameter as performance decrement immediately preceding the anticipated harmful stimulus. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1969
- Accession Number
- AD0705532
Entities
People
- Mary Anne Overman
- Xenia Coulter
Organizations
- Naval Aerospace Medical Institute