The cusp catastrophe models for cognitive workload and fatigue and their supporting research program evolved in response to numerous difficulties encountered in previous research. The two cusp models separate the two processes, which have the same temporal dynamic structure but different contributing variables, using an integrated experimental design that tests them both in the same situation. This presentation describes the structural models, experimental tasks, and principles of elasticity-rigidity, compensatory ability, minimum entropy, and the performance-variability paradox. Results from the series of six studies are summarized and discussed.
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