Application of Information Theory Concepts to Study Work Complex Versus Operator Action Time.

Abstract

Information theory concepts are currently being applied to obtain a quantitative measure of work difficulty or complexity. This paper uses Information Theory to investigate the relationship between information input and operator response time. To investigate this relationship, twelve male subjects were tested for reaction time. Stimuli were any possible patterns of eight lights. Responses were corresponding patterns of stimultaneous key depressions in an eight-key keyboard (one key for each finger). The conclusion drawn from these experiments was that there seems to be a linear relationship between information input (log2 N, where N is the number of equally likely alternatives) and operator reaction time for an unlearned task.

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 1973
Accession Number
AD0786286

Entities

People

  • Roger L. Catlett

Organizations

  • United States Army Materiel Command

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Depression
  • Information Theory
  • Keyboards
  • Reaction Time

Readers

  • Computer Science/Computer Engineering/Data Science/Digital Signal Processing.
  • Team-Based Human-Centered Cognitive Task Decision Making and Information Performance.