Cigarette Smoking, Field-Dependence and Contrast Sensitivity,

Abstract

This study examined the separate and combined effects of cigarette smoking and field-dependence on contrast sensitivity. No previous research on these relationships exists; however, all 3 variables are known to be significantly related to many aspects of human performance. Twelve smokers and 16 non-smokers were tested for field-dependence and measured for contrast sensitivity (Nicolet CS 20000 Testing System) under carefully controlled conditions. No differences in contrast sensitivity of smokers were found when measured immediately after smoking 1 cigarette, as compared with having been deprived of smoking for at least 90 min. Habitual smoking and field-dependence were found to be separately and interactively related to contrast sensitivity. A field-independent non-smoker group performed significantly better than a field-dependent smoker group at all but the lowest spatial frequency. The results have important implications for many types of performance, particularly aircraft and motor vehicle operation, and may be valuable for use in selection and training.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1986
Accession Number
ADA173450

Entities

People

  • Bernard J. Fine
  • John L. Kobrick

Organizations

  • United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accidents
  • Contrast
  • Databases
  • Detection
  • Discrimination
  • Flight Simulators
  • Frequency
  • Military Personnel
  • Military Research
  • Motor Skills
  • Nervous System
  • New York
  • Observers
  • Psychology
  • Sensitivity
  • Training
  • Visual Perception

Readers

  • Brain and Cognitive Science; Experimental Psychology; Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Mental Health of Military Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Risk Factors, Prevalence, Symptoms, and Treatment.
  • Vision Science/Vision Psychology/Cognitive Neuroscience.