Complex Monitoring Performance and the Coronary-Prone Type A Behavior Pattern.
Abstract
The present study examined the possible relationship of the coronary-prone Type A behavior pattern to performance of a complex monitoring task. The task was designed to functionally simulate the general task characteristics of future, highly automated air traffic control systems in which passive monitoring is expected to be a principal job requirement. Thirty-six male subjects, half classified as Type A and half as Type B, monitored the simulated radar display over a 2-hour session for infrequent critical changes in alphanumeric targets. In addition to performance, physiological changes and subjective reactions were also assessed. Type A individuals were found not to differ from Type B individuals in either task performance or in subjective reaction to the task. Task-related changes in heart rate, blood pressure, and general restlessness failed also to provide any evidence of greater arousal in Type A's than in Type B's. The findings are discussed relative to other studies of Type A behavior and performance and to the specific problem of finding useful predictors of performance in operational monitoring situations. Keywords: Attention; Automation; Monitoring; and Vigilance.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA168240
Entities
People
- R. M. Touchstone
- Richard I. Thackray
Organizations
- Federal Aviation Administration