A conceptual framework is presented, based upon an expanded concept of activation level, which is designed to encompass the full range of performance task research, from vigilance to production-line type performance. Specific characteristic aberrations in performance are associated with specific extreme deviations in activation level and a matrix of task characteristics is developed for relating tasks in terms of their total stimulation value and for predict-mg the effects of experimental variables on the performance associated with these tasks.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
BergumB.Vigilance: a guide to improved performance. Fort Bliss, Tex.: U. S. Army Air Defense Human Research Unit, 1963. (Res. Bull. 10)
2.
BergumB., & KleinI. C.A survey and analysis of vigilance research. Fort Bliss, Tex.: U. S. Army Air Defense Human Research Unit, 1961. (Res. Rep. 8)
3.
BergumB., & LehrD.Vigilance performance as a function of interpolated rest. Journal of Applied Psychology, 1962, 46, 425–427.
4.
BergumB., & LehrD.End-spurt in vigilance. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1963, 66, 383–385. (a)
5.
BergumB., & LehrD.Vigilance performance as a function of task and environmental variables. Fort Bliss, Tex.: U. S. Army Air Defense Human Research Unit, 1963. (Res. Rep. 11) (b)
6.
BergumB., & LehrD.Monetary incentives and vigilance. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1964, 67, 197–198.
7.
DeeseJ.Some problems in the theory of vigilance. Psychological Review, 1955, 62, 359–368.
8.
DooleyR. P., & NewtonJ.M.Transfer of training between quickened and unquick-ened displays. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 1965, 19, 11–15.
9.
HullC. L.Principles of behavior. New York: Appleton-Century, 1943.
10.
LlndsleyD. B.Emotion. InStevensS. S. (Ed.), Handbook of experimental psychology. New York: Wiley, 1951. Pp. 473–516.
11.
MackworthN. H.Researches on the measurement of human performance. Cambridge: Medical Research Council, 1950. (Res. Rep. 268)
12.
MalmoR. B.Activation: a neuropsychological dimension. Psychological Review, 1959> 66, 367–386.
13.
MurrellK. F. H.Laboratory studies of repetitive work: I. Paced work and its relation to unpaced work. International Journal of Production Research, 1963, 2, 169–184.
14.
SpenceK. W.Behavior theory and conditioning. New Haven: Yale Univer. Press, 1956.
15.
TaylorF. V.Four basic ideas in engineering psychology. American Psychologist, 1960,15,643–649.
