Analyses of the Effects of two Individual Differences Classificaticn Models on Experiencing Mental Workload of a Comupter Generated Task: A Hew Perspective to Job Design and Task Analysis

Abstract

Two individual differences classification models, Cognitive Complexity and Decision Style, were utilized to group participants for a mental workload experiment. All participants undertook four sequential phases of a simulated artillery command, computer generated, mental workload task. Measures of the mental workload were the subjective estimation of the relative task difficulty and the physiological response as reflected in the level of sinus arrhythmia. The abstract group was found to be significantly associated with the high conceptually complex decision styles; whereas the concrete group was related to the low conceptually complex decision styles. The abstract and conceptually complex decision style group subjective evaluation of task difficulty followed the progressive loading of the task. Conversely, the conrete and low conceptually complex decision style group perceived the initial phase of the task to be the most difficult. The sinus arrhythmia dependent variable demonstrated two different patterns for the unifocus and multifocus decisions styles. Implciations of the results of this investigation could be employed by managers in developing a more effective Job design approach and to optimized the job-person match. Further ramifications of the findings could contribute to efficient manpower planning and human resource utilization within the organization.