On the Assessment of Processing Demands in Complex Task Structures.
Abstract
Recent studies of human attention and information processing have successfully employed secondary probe task techniques to assess the differential demands placed upon man's central processor by various component task performances. Results from previous work have shown that the workload or demand associated with various tasks is dependent upon the type and extent of information processing operations upon information. However, most of the research to date utilizing probe task techniques has examined combined task performance in situations involving very simplified primary and secondary task structures. The general applicability of secondary probe task techniques for assessing processing demands in more complex task situations remains to be established. A primary task involving successive processing operations upon information including(1) encoding, (2) rehearsal, (3) transformation, and (4) comparison-decision was performed simultaneously with a secondary probe task requiring a simple reaction time (RT) response or with a secondary probe task requiring a choice reaction time (RT) response. The two secondary tasks required different levels of capacity demands and provided a basis for evaluating the processing strategies used by subjects in the competing task demand situation. Probe stimuli occurred an equal number of times during each of the four primary task processing intervals.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1978
- Accession Number
- ADA060317
Entities
People
- Jerry M. Owens
- Steven D. Harris
Organizations
- Naval Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory