Stress and Human Performance
Abstract
Military operations, almost by definition, involve high levels of stress. Survival in this hostile environment depends on effective performance. Yet, it is ironic that these times when performance is most crucial are often the times when individuals are under the greatest stress, and when stress-induced decrements are most likely to occur--skilled performance declines, poor decisions are made, and crucial information is ignored. The effects of stress on task performance, and the mitigation of these effects through training are areas of critical concern to the military. The following research examines human performance under stress, and presents a theoretical model for understanding the determinants and performance consequences of acute stress. Two experiments are reported to substantiate this model. The first examines the determinants of performance stress in a military training setting. A second examines consequences of stress on performance, in a team task environment. Keywords: Human performance, Psychological stress, Training, Team performance, Military training.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA198791
Entities
People
- James E. Driskell
- Patrick J. Moskal
- Rhonwyn Carson