Age, attention, expertise, and time-sharing performance.
Time-sharing efficiency and resource allocation from a group of pilots with expertise in time-sharing and a group of nonpilots (ages 20-79 years) were examined. Participants performed 5 dual tasks that represented different degrees of structural similarity as characterized by the structure-specific resource model. Age, expertise, and structural similarity were found to interactively affect time-sharing performance through attentional resources. Age-related deficits in time-sharing were evident under conditions of intense attentional demands and when precise control was required. Modest expertise modulation of the age effects is likely to increase with more domain-specific time-sharing. The structure-specific resource model provided a useful framework for interpreting the relationship between aging and time-sharing performance.
Tsang
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PS
Department of Psychology, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio 45435, USA. ptsang@wright.edu
Shaner
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TL
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D001359:Aviation; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004526:Efficiency / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009949:Orientation / Q000502:physiology; D011214:Practice, Psychological; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D012718:Set, Psychology; D013028:Space Perception / Q000502:physiology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology; D017748:Time Management / Q000523:psychology*; D014836:Volition / Q000502:physiology; D016526:Workload / Q000523:psychology*