Now, Where Was I? Examining the Perceptual Processes while Resuming an Interrupted Task

Abstract

Several empirical papers have demonstrated that interruptions are disruptive and that after being interrupted it takes some time to resume the primary task. This study examined the cognitive processes, specifically at the perceptual level, that were used to resume a task after being interrupted. Eye movement data showed that participants were able to use spatial memory to return to the general area where they were interrupted. This spatial heuristic was used for interruptions that occurred both early and late in the primary task, however, participants were more imprecise when returning to the task after a late interruption.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2006
Accession Number
ADA479982

Entities

People

  • J. Gregory Trafton
  • Raj M. Ratwani

Organizations

  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Analysis Of Variance
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Biological Sciences
  • Cognitive Science
  • Computers
  • Eye
  • Eye Movements
  • Human-Machine Interaction
  • Information Operations
  • Intervals
  • Military Research
  • Psychological Phenomena And Processes
  • Psychology
  • Reaction Time
  • Task Performance And Analysis
  • Time Intervals

Fields of Study

  • Psychology

Readers

  • Strategic Security Studies
  • Team-Based Human-Centered Cognitive Task Decision Making and Information Performance.
  • Vision Science/Vision Psychology/Cognitive Neuroscience.