Catastrophe Models for Cognitive Workload and Fatigue in a Vigilance Dual Task

Authors

Stephen J. Guastello, Marquette UniversityFollow
Matthew Malon, Marquette University
Paul Timm, Marquette University
Kelsey Ann Weinberger, Marquette University
Hillary Gorin, Marquette University
Megan Fabisch, Marquette University
Kirsten Poston, Marquette University

Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Format of Original

15 p.

Publication Date

6-2014

Publisher

Human Factors and Ergonomics Society

Source Publication

Human Factors

Source ISSN

0018-7208

Abstract

Objective: This study investigated two cusp catastrophe models for cognitive workload and fatigue for a vigilance dual task, the role of emotional intelligence and frustration in the performance dynamics, and the dynamics for individuals and teams of two participants.

Background: The effects of workload, fatigue, practice, and time on a specific task can be separated with the two models and an appropriate experimental design. Group dynamics add further complications to the understanding of workload and fatigue effects for teams.

Method: In this experiment, 141 undergraduates responded to target stimuli that appeared on a simulated security camera display at three rates of speed while completing a jigsaw puzzle. Participants worked alone or in pairs and completed additional measurements prior to or after the main tasks.

Results: The workload cusp verified the expected effects of speed and frustration on change in performance. The fatigue cusp showed that positive and negative changes in performance were greater if more work on the secondary task was completed and whether the participants who started with the fast vigilance condition demonstrated less fatigue.

Conclusion: The results supported the efficacy of the cusp models and suggested, furthermore, that training modules that varied speed of presentation could buffer the effects of fatigue.

Application: The cusp models can be used to analyze virtually any cognitively demanding task set. The particular results generalize to vigilance tasks, although a wider range of conditions within vigilance tasks needs to be investigated further.

Comments

Accepted version. Human Factors, Vol. 56, No. 4 (June 2014): 737-751. DOI. © 2014 Human Factors and Ergonomics Society. Used with permission.

Recommended Citation

Guastello, Stephen J.; Malon, Matthew; Timm, Paul; Weinberger, Kelsey Ann; Gorin, Hillary; Fabisch, Megan; and Poston, Kirsten, "Catastrophe Models for Cognitive Workload and Fatigue in a Vigilance Dual Task" (2014). Psychology Faculty Research and Publications. 222.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/psych_fac/222