title: Training for vigilance: the effect of knowledge of results format and dispositional optimism and pessimism on performance and stress.
abstract: This study investigated the impact of knowledge of results (KR) format on the performance and stress associated with a vigilance task. Also examined was the effect of the interaction of KR-format (Hit-KR, False Alarm-KR, Miss-KR, and a composite of all three formats) with dispositional optimism and pessimism on performance outcome and reported stress state. Hypotheses based upon a theory of feedback intervention were tested. KR regarding correct detections and the composite-KR (KR regarding correct detections, false alarms, and missed signals) enhanced perceptual sensitivity. However, False Alarm-KR and Miss-KR did not. Contrary to expectations based on the theory, performance was unrelated to the traits across all KR conditions. However, the effects of KR-format on self-reports of stress depended on the individual's level of pessimism and optimism. In addition, KR format and personality affected the multiple dimensions of stress state in different ways.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology and Institute for Simulation and Training, University of Central Florida Orlando 32826, USA. jszalma@mail.ucf.edu
authors.forename: James L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Szalma
authors.forename: Peter A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Hancock
authors.forename: William N
authors.initials: WN
authors.lastname: Dember
authors.forename: Joel S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Warm
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention; D016288:Computer Terminals; D005246:Feedback; D005260:Female; D006185:Habituation, Psychophysiologic; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D007721:Knowledge of Results, Psychological; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual; D010551:Personality; D011214:Practice, Psychological; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires