Demand transitions and sustained attention.
A recent report by the National Research Council (Huey & Wickens, 1993) has identified transitions in task demand as an important dimension for study in vigilance research. This experiment tested the possibility that the effects of such transitions follow a relatively simple psychophysical rule--they are characterized by contrast effects. Transitions in task demand were achieved by shifting subjects from single-task to dual-task monitoring and vice versa. These transitions produced changes in subjects' sensing and decision-making functions that were far more intricate than simple contrast effects. The demand transition issue offers a complex research challenge on both basic and applied levels and warrants further investigation.
Gluckman
J P
JP
University of Cincinnati, OH.
Warm
J S
JS
Dember
W N
WN
Rosa
R R
RR
D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention; D015350:Contrast Sensitivity; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis