Effects of Signal Regularity and Salience on Vigilance Performance and Cerebral Hemovelocity

Abstract

The signal regularity effect — enhanced performance efficiency when critical signals for detection appear in a temporally regular as opposed to an irregular manner- has a long history in vigilance research. However, the precise conditions under which this effect can be elicited have not been identified. Toward that end, this study demonstrates that the effect is limited to low salience signals, perhaps because the effort needed to generate veridical temporal expectancies is unnecessary with high salience signals. Additionally, using signal detection theory indices (d' & c) and neuroimaging of cerebral blood flow via transcranial Doppler sonography, this study also shows that the signal regularity effect is rooted in sensing rather than decision-making factors and that it is localized in the right cerebral hemisphere.

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