Physical-Cognitive Multitasking Performance Decrements as a Function of Modality and Risk to Postural Control

Multitasking is an activity where individuals split their attention between two or more tasks at once and is an imperative skill required for many work environments. Given the frequency at which humans need to multitask, psychologists have attempted to research this practice in order to gain a better understanding of multitasking performance. Several theories were proposed as a result of this research each attempting to characterize multitasking performance. However, previous research testing these theories in more externally valid settings have determined that these previously purposed theories may not be as translatable to operational environments, especially for ones that require individuals to perform physical and cognitive tasks at the same time (firefighting, search and rescue, construction, etc.). One reason why this trend occurs may be due to the fact that the research used to create these theories relied on experiments in controlled laboratory settings, free of any of the hazards and demands of working in the real world. The present work sought to understand how aspects of the tasks and task environment, particularly the risk of falling and the modality of information presentation, impacts multitasking ability. The first study examined multitasking performance in a simulated environment where participants completed a visual search task and word recall task with words being presented via a head-up display (HUD). The second study was a follow-up to study one, but instead words were presented audibly instead of visually. The third study examined multitasking performance associated with swimming using a HUD. These three studies were combined with the results of three others to examine modality differences in performance across three different levels of risk of falling. Results indicated that multitasking in these contexts resulted in dual-task decrements across the board and that assessments of the demands of both the task and the environment are necessary before introducing new technology to those who work in operational environments.

Author

• Jackson, Kenneth M.

• Augmented Reality
• Multitasking
• Verbal Recall
• Vigilance
• Virtual Reality
• Working Memory

Identifier

hdl:1920/14531

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:MARS:1920/14531