Implications of the User's Information Processing Strategy on the Design of Decision Aids for Complex Systems

Abstract

Performance was evaluated in a single and dual task environment which simulated basic tasks carried out by sonar operators, using processed, visual representations of acoustic data. Two general classes of performance functions were obtained. One group of subjects performed at high levels in both single and dual task conditions and responded to increasing demand with increased throughput. The second group showed performance levelling or decrement once information load reached a critical level. The strategies used by the two groups (heuristics/pattern recognition for the former, and serial analysis for the latter) have clear importance for the type of decision aids which need to be provided in future generation sonar systems.

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