Ergonomics
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The purpose of the present study was to analyse the effects of information complexity on Pilot Mental WorkLoad (PMWL) and Pilot Performance (PP), and to analyse the structure of PMWL. Eighteen pilots performed 72 simulated low level-high speed emissions. The complexity of the Head Down Display (HDD) information varied as a function of the tactical situation. ⋯ Heart rate (sortie means) correlated positively with PMWL (r = 0.34, p <0.05) and perceived complexity of mission (r = 0.37, p < 0.01). Heart rate (running means) covaried with variations in information complexity for those pilots who performed well. From spectral analyses of cardiac interval times it was found that the amplitude of the 0.10 Hz component tended to decrease during high as compared to low levels of information load.
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This study reports a detailed investigation of the interaction between goal setting, anxiety and perceptuo-motor performance. Forty-four subjects completed familiarization, control and treatment conditions in which they were required to perform a series of perceptual speed trials. In the control condition, subjects were assigned a vague, general goal of 'do your best', whilst in the treatment condition, increasingly difficult, specific goals were assigned. ⋯ In the treatment condition, an increase in cognitive anxiety and a reduction in self-confidence accompanied increasing goal difficulty but these remained stable in the control condition. Performance was greater when 'do your best' as opposed to 'very easy' goals were assigned, but this situation was reversed when 'very hard' goals were assigned. The results of these laboratory-based findings are discussed with particular reference to the implications for practitioners in applied settings.