Cognitive Integration: A Study of how Decision Makers Construct Understanding in Evolving Contexts

Abstract

Technology provides military decision makers with more data than they can possibly use. Commanders and staffs must sort through and combine relevant data to develop understanding. This process, which we call cognitive integration, was investigated in a tactical simulation using 21 experienced active duty Army officers (former battalion commanders) and 21 novice officers (no battalion command experience) as participants. Quantitative and qualitative data yielded significant differences between the experienced and novice groups. In addition, data analysis led to the development of several important design principles that will be used to build a decision aid prototype to assist commanders in integrating data.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Endsley

(1988). Design and evaluation for situation awareness enhancement. In Proceedings of the Human Factors Society 32nd Annual Meeting (pp. 97–101). Santa Monica, CA: Human Factors and Ergonomics Society.

Sarter

Woods

D. D.

(1995). “How in the world did we get into that mode?” Mode error and awareness in supervisory control. Human Factors, 37: 5–19.

Smith

Hancock

(1995). Situation awareness is adaptive, externally directed consciousness. Human Factors, 37: 5–19.

Woods

D. D.

Johannesen

Cook

R. I.

Sarter

(1994). Behind Human Error: Cognitive Systems, Computers and Hindsight. (CSERIAC State of the Art Report 94-01). Dayton, OH: Crew Systems Ergonomic Information and Analysis Center.