A) Attentional limitations

Question 1

Hick-Hyman Law: Hick’s law: Making choices easier for others (4)

Answer 1

• K.I.S.S Keep it short and simple.
• efficiency
• engaging
• easy to learn

Question 2

Donald Broadbent - The ‘filter’ model (2)

Answer 2

• during some refinements of the attentional filter model, filtering is affected by expectation
• after filtering is information processed for meaning and actually understood

Question 3

Broadbent - the attention filter model - early section

Answer 3

attention is also filtered by
- meaning
- using feedback from memory stores
- prior experiences
- expectations
this suggests information is in some way understood BEFORE being selected for attention

Question 4

A Capacity model of attention:

Answer 4

• capacity models described attention as a resource
• the amount of mental effort or energy required to perform a task

Question 5

Kahneman (1973) A capacity model of attention - attention allocation policy

Answer 5

• the model proposes that we make a conscious decision to pay attention
• the allocation policy that gives attention to them is flexible

Question 6

why may capacity theories make it difficult for an individual to pay attention to two things at once?

Answer 6

the demands of the two tasks exceed available capacity

Question 7

why may selection theories make it difficult for an individual to pay attention to two things at once?

Answer 7

a bottleneck develops, prohibiting the entry of two packages of information at the same time

Question 8

Dual task interference - Wickens (1984) (2 points)

Answer 8

• when completing two tasks simultaneously, that do not share attentional resources dual task interference will be minimal
• when the two tasks require a common attentional resources the performance will depend on how resources are allocated to the tasks (allocated based on priority)

Question 9

Mental workload - Kantowitz (2000) User system interaction

Answer 9

workload can become too low when highly automated systems are utilised (eg glass cockpit transport aircraft)

Question 10

Workload measures definition and example: subjective

Answer 10

self report.
- stress
- mental effort
- time pressure
- physical demand
eg nasa tlx: task load index

Question 11

Workload measures definition and example: behavioural

Answer 11

operators task performance.
- dual task performance
- primary task
- secondary task
eg multiple resource theory (Wickens 1992)

Question 12

Workload measures definition and example: physiological

Answer 12

level of arousal will vary as a function of workload
- pupil dilation
- heart rate variability
- ERPs
eg pupillary dilation depending on cognitive load

Question 13

Federal aviation regulation 25 (2)

Answer 13

• each pilot compartment and it’s equipment must allow the minimum flight crew to perform their duties without unreasonable concentration or fatigue
• minimum flight crew must be established… for safe operation considering… the workload on individual crew members (Kantowitz and Casper, 1988)