The Use of Information Transmission as Nonparametric Correlation in the Analysis of Complex Behavior: A Preliminary Report.

Abstract

Recent developments of classical information theory by Conant and Ashby have given rise to a number of techniques by which the behavior of a complex system can be analyzed. Even in the absence of any information about the intensity of the variables measured it is possible to detect which parts of the system are closely coupled and which independent. The metrics of the variables can be mixed, (nominal, ordinal, etc.) and the method is particularly suited to dynamic systems. This paper discusses how the structure of the 'molecules' of behavior can be deduced from the entropies of the 'atoms', and outlines the solutions to certain methodological problems involved. Examples of the method are given from the fields of attention and skills, including the representation of the effects of practice on a 7-degree-of-freedom perceptual motor skill involving a complex man-machine interface. Further analysis and development of the technique is being carried out and will be reported subsequently. (Author)

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 1980
Accession Number
ADA087832

Entities

People

  • Neville Moray

Organizations

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Cognitive Workload
  • Complex Systems
  • Computer Programs
  • Computers
  • Data Science
  • Databases
  • Human-Machine Interfaces
  • Human-Machine Systems
  • Information Processing
  • Information Science
  • Information Theory
  • Measurement
  • Motor Skills
  • Observation
  • Probability
  • Psychology
  • Systems Science

Readers

  • Quantum spin resonance or Electron Paramagnetic Resonance spectroscopy.
  • Regression Analysis.
  • Team-Based Human-Centered Cognitive Task Decision Making and Information Performance.