Decision making in dual-task environments: analysis of hemispheric competition effects.
Performance degradations in multitasking situations have been reported frequently as a predictable effect of competition that arises from different processing demands whose hemispheric locations are too proximal. This model might be useful in explaining performance deficits in complex workplaces. To test this assertion, a laboratory study was designed to create an analogue of the processing demands required by a tactical decision-making task performed by 24 right-handed men. Vocalization, dichotic listening and decision-making performance were assessed under single- and dual-task conditions. The results were consistent with the predictions from hemispheric competition in the case of dichotic listening but not with vocalization. The results are discussed in terms of their implications for both research and systems design.
Bowers
C
C
Department of Psychology, University of Central Florida, Orlando 32816-1390, USA.
Price
C
C
LaBarba
R
R
Cannon-Bowers
J
J
Borjesson
W
W
Vogel
J
J
D001307:Auditory Perception / Q000502:physiology; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D003657:Decision Making / Q000502:physiology*; D004007:Dichotic Listening Tests; D004292:Dominance, Cerebral / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D013060:Speech / Q000502:physiology