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PREDICTING SIMULATED DRIVING PERFORMANCE UNDER HIGH AND LOW WORKLOAD ENVIRONMENTS USING COGNITIVE, VISUAL, AND PSYCHOMOTOR TASKS
Title
PREDICTING SIMULATED DRIVING PERFORMANCE UNDER HIGH AND LOW WORKLOAD ENVIRONMENTS USING COGNITIVE, VISUAL, AND PSYCHOMOTOR TASKS.
Author
Shanmugaratnam, Sharmili, Kass, Steven J., Arruda, James E., Marzilli, Scott T., University of West Florida
Abstract/Description
Although many improvements to road and vehicle safety have been made in the United States over the past 2 decades, accident numbers have remained stable since 1980 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2003). Given that there are many serious motor vehicle accidents occurring each year, understanding the underlying causes of these accidents may help improve driver safety. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role cognitive, visual, and psychomotor domains play in predicting driving performance....
Show moreAlthough many improvements to road and vehicle safety have been made in the United States over the past 2 decades, accident numbers have remained stable since 1980 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2003). Given that there are many serious motor vehicle accidents occurring each year, understanding the underlying causes of these accidents may help improve driver safety. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role cognitive, visual, and psychomotor domains play in predicting driving performance. The participants were 55 drivers (mean age of 31 years, SD = 19.08) recruited from the University of West Florida. Participants performed 9 tasks that measured their abilities in the 3 domains and performed simulated driving under high workload (i.e., city) and low workload (i.e., highway) conditions. Results indicated that measures of visual acuity, tracking task, and age were predictive of performance at simulated city intersections and highway driver watchfulness-related behaviors. These results may aid in the development of a cost-effective and time-efficient method to assess driver fitness (e.g., license renewal).
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Date Issued
2008
Identifier
WFE0000127, uwf:60788
Format
Document (PDF)
USING BOREDOM PRONENESS TO PREDICT VIGILANCE IN AIRPORT SECURITY LUGGAGE SCREENING
Title
USING BOREDOM PRONENESS TO PREDICT VIGILANCE IN AIRPORT SECURITY LUGGAGE SCREENING.
Author
Linnabery, Eileen Marie, Kass, Steven J., Vodanovich, Stephen J., University of West Florida
Abstract/Description
Sustained attention, or vigilance, in luggage screening is vital to airport security. Baggage screeners must maintain their attention to tasks throughout their shifts to effectively minimize security breaches. This study examined the effects of workload (perceived task demand), spatial aptitude, regulatory focus (a motivational system that predisposes people to focus on achievements or precision) and boredom proneness (individual propensity to become bored) on performance for a simulated...
Show moreSustained attention, or vigilance, in luggage screening is vital to airport security. Baggage screeners must maintain their attention to tasks throughout their shifts to effectively minimize security breaches. This study examined the effects of workload (perceived task demand), spatial aptitude, regulatory focus (a motivational system that predisposes people to focus on achievements or precision) and boredom proneness (individual propensity to become bored) on performance for a simulated airport luggage screening task. Data were analyzed using signal detection theory, and performance on the airport security luggage screening task was measured by calculating operator sensitivity, throughput, and positive and negative predictive power. A repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed a significant decline in performance, otherwise known as a vigilance decrement, over the first ninety trials. Correlations between independent and dependent variables revealed significant relationships between performance measures and measures of spatial abilities, regulatory focus, and boredom proneness. The results of this research may provide valuable information for the recruitment and selection of luggage screening personnel. Limitations and future directions are discussed.
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Date Issued
2009
Identifier
WFE0000175, uwf:60816
Format
Document (PDF)
PERIODICITIES IN PERFORMANCE ON VISUAL CONTINUOUS PERFORMANCE TASKS
Title
PERIODICITIES IN PERFORMANCE ON VISUAL CONTINUOUS PERFORMANCE TASKS.
Author
Aue, William Roger, Arruda, James E., Stanny, Claudia J., Kass, Steven J., University of West Florida
Abstract/Description
It is well known that biological rhythms play a prominent role in the modulation of human physiology and behavior. Recent research by Smith, Valentino, and Arruda (2003) suggests that sustained human performance may systematically fluctuate in a cyclic manner with periods of 1.5 min and 5.2 min. However, more traditional measures of sustained human performance have sampled behavior too infrequently to capture these fast rhythms. The purpose of the current study was to validate the...
Show moreIt is well known that biological rhythms play a prominent role in the modulation of human physiology and behavior. Recent research by Smith, Valentino, and Arruda (2003) suggests that sustained human performance may systematically fluctuate in a cyclic manner with periods of 1.5 min and 5.2 min. However, more traditional measures of sustained human performance have sampled behavior too infrequently to capture these fast rhythms. The purpose of the current study was to validate the periodicities reported previously by Smith et al. by employing nontraditional, ecologically valid continuous performance tasks (i.e., a visual pointtracking task and a driving simulator task). The majority of participants demonstrated the 1.5 min periodicity for both tasks; however, few participants demonstrated the 5.2 min periodicity. These rhythms may be indicative of an endogenous system that modulates sustained attention in humans. Evidence supporting this idea and implications of the research are discussed.
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Date Issued
2008
Identifier
WFE0000103, uwf:60846
Format
Document (PDF)
THE EFFECTS OF MENTAL TRAINING WITH YOUNG ADULTS ON SITUATION AWARENESS IN A SIMULATED DRIVING TASK
Title
THE EFFECTS OF MENTAL TRAINING WITH YOUNG ADULTS ON SITUATION AWARENESS IN A SIMULATED DRIVING TASK.
Author
Bumgarner, David Joseph, Kass, Steven J., Mikulas, William L., University of West Florida
Abstract/Description
Driver distractions such as mobile phones and in-vehicle devices have led researchers to examine their role in driver performance. Little research has been done to examine the potential hazards of internal cognitive distractions. This research examined the effects of mental training on driving performance and situation awareness in a driving simulator. Thirty-two students assigned to either the mental training or driver education group completed the Concentration, Mindfulness, Driver...
Show moreDriver distractions such as mobile phones and in-vehicle devices have led researchers to examine their role in driver performance. Little research has been done to examine the potential hazards of internal cognitive distractions. This research examined the effects of mental training on driving performance and situation awareness in a driving simulator. Thirty-two students assigned to either the mental training or driver education group completed the Concentration, Mindfulness, Driver Aggression, and Driver Inattention Questionnaires. Participants were tested pre- and postintervention on traffic violations, situation awareness, braking latency, and divided attention reaction time using STISIM Drive (Version 2003). Both groups completed 4-weeks of training, with the mental training group completing 15 to 20 minutes of at-home mental training practice daily. Results demonstrated a significant decrease in traffic violations, divided attention reaction time, and braking latency from pre- to posttesting across groups. It was shown that braking latency decreased more substantially in the mental training group. No main effects of training group were revealed, but an interaction effect approaching significance was shown for concentration level. In addition, concentration was positively correlated with traffic violations. Future research should further examine the potential of mental training as a compliment to traditional driver's education.
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Date Issued
2009
Identifier
WFE0000183, uwf:60864
Format
Document (PDF)
TEACHER EFFICACY AND DECISION MAKING STYLES IN PRE-KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS
Title
TEACHER EFFICACY AND DECISION MAKING STYLES IN PRE-KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS.
Author
Johnson, Naudia Renae, Mathews, Samuel R., Kass, Steven J., University of West Florida
Abstract/Description
Research shows that teachers' classroom practices relates to their efficacious beliefs about their teaching capabilities. These beliefs may impact their students' achievement, motivation and efficacy (Poom-Valickis, 2007) and the impact of this influence at the pre-kindergarten stage can affect the students' later development (Anthony, Anthony, Morrel & Acosta, 2005). The relationships among personal teaching efficacy (PTE), teaching efficacy (TE) and decision-making styles (DMS) of...
Show moreResearch shows that teachers' classroom practices relates to their efficacious beliefs about their teaching capabilities. These beliefs may impact their students' achievement, motivation and efficacy (Poom-Valickis, 2007) and the impact of this influence at the pre-kindergarten stage can affect the students' later development (Anthony, Anthony, Morrel & Acosta, 2005). The relationships among personal teaching efficacy (PTE), teaching efficacy (TE) and decision-making styles (DMS) of prekindergarten teachers were investigated. Fifty-four teachers with a mean age of 36 years (SD = 11.35) completed a demographics questionnaire, the Teacher Efficacy Scale and the General Decision-Making Style inventory. Significant correlations were found between PTE and avoidant DMS (r = -.34, p = .011) and among TE with rational (r = .30, p < .05) and spontaneous (r = .28, p < .05) DMS. Regression analyses yielded a significant negative relationship between avoidant DMS and PTE (p = .021, a = -.39) and significant positive relationships among TE and the spontaneous (p = .046, a = .33) and rational (p = .048, a = .28) DMS. Intuitive was the most frequently selected decision making style among the participants.
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Date Issued
2011
Identifier
WFE0000277, uwf:60891
Format
Document (PDF)
MIGRAINE DISABILITY ASSESSMENT (MIDAS) JUNIOR AS A MEASURE OF HEADACHE-RELATED DISABILITY FOR PEDIATRIC HEADACHE
Title
MIGRAINE DISABILITY ASSESSMENT (MIDAS) JUNIOR AS A MEASURE OF HEADACHE-RELATED DISABILITY FOR PEDIATRIC HEADACHE.
Author
Rime, Carla Annette, Andrasik, Frank, Kass, Steven J., University of West Florida
Abstract/Description
Headache is a common condition among the pediatric population worldwide. The Migraine Disability Assessment Junior (MIDAS Junior) measures headache-related disability in terms of lost days and reduced productivity for young headache sufferers. The internal consistency and test-retest reliability of the MIDAS Junior was evaluated. Results indicated that the MIDAS Junior had adequate internal consistency and fair testretest reliability. Parent and child responses on the MIDAS Junior were also...
Show moreHeadache is a common condition among the pediatric population worldwide. The Migraine Disability Assessment Junior (MIDAS Junior) measures headache-related disability in terms of lost days and reduced productivity for young headache sufferers. The internal consistency and test-retest reliability of the MIDAS Junior was evaluated. Results indicated that the MIDAS Junior had adequate internal consistency and fair testretest reliability. Parent and child responses on the MIDAS Junior were also analyzed and it was found that parents had a moderate to high concordance rate compared to their child. Lastly, differences between headache type, frequency, age, and sex were examined with regards to disability, depressive symptoms, and anxiety. Older participants reported significantly higher scores for state anxiety, as measured by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAIC), and for disability, as measured by the MIDAS Junior, compared to the younger participants. The MIDAS Junior provides a means for young headache sufferers to communicate headache-related disability to their physicians, which in turn can guide treatment decisions and gauge outcome.
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Date Issued
2010
Identifier
WFE0000214, uwf:60937
Format
Document (PDF)
REGULATORY FOCUS PRIMING AND VIGILANCE PERFORMANCE DURING A BAGGAGE SCREENING TASK
Title
REGULATORY FOCUS PRIMING AND VIGILANCE PERFORMANCE DURING A BAGGAGE SCREENING TASK.
Author
Miller, Ashley Jaye, Kass, Steven J., VanWormer, Lisa A., University of West Florida
Abstract/Description
Performance in high stress jobs requiring constant vigilance, such as baggage screening and air traffic control, can be affected by a variety of factors. These factors include individual differences as well as external conditions such as time of day and task parameters. The current study examined the impact of time of day preference and task instructions on performing a simulated baggage screening task. Task instructions were manipulated to prime participants to either a prevention or...
Show morePerformance in high stress jobs requiring constant vigilance, such as baggage screening and air traffic control, can be affected by a variety of factors. These factors include individual differences as well as external conditions such as time of day and task parameters. The current study examined the impact of time of day preference and task instructions on performing a simulated baggage screening task. Task instructions were manipulated to prime participants to either a prevention or promotion regulatory focus. Participants performed the task either during their preferred time of day or outside their preferred time (i.e., off peak). No significant differences in performance were found due to priming or due to time of day preference.
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Date Issued
2010
Identifier
WFE0000236, uwf:60950
Format
Document (PDF)
TRAINING MINDFULNESS AND CONCENTRATION TO IMPROVE SITUATION AWARENESS AND ATTENTION IN OLDER DRIVERS
Title
TRAINING MINDFULNESS AND CONCENTRATION TO IMPROVE SITUATION AWARENESS AND ATTENTION IN OLDER DRIVERS.
Author
Duany, John Marshall, Kass, Steven J., Mikulas, William L., Guttmann, Rodney P., University of West Florida
Abstract/Description
Older adults were recruited from a retirement community to participate in a driving simulation with the inclusion of a meditation training course in either mindfulness or concentration. Driving performance data were gathered via the simulation program and by the researcher prior to and after meditation training. Questionnaires (Attention Related Driving Errors Scale, Cognitive Failures Questionnaire-Driving, Concentration Scale, and Mindful Attention Awareness Scale) were also distributed and...
Show moreOlder adults were recruited from a retirement community to participate in a driving simulation with the inclusion of a meditation training course in either mindfulness or concentration. Driving performance data were gathered via the simulation program and by the researcher prior to and after meditation training. Questionnaires (Attention Related Driving Errors Scale, Cognitive Failures Questionnaire-Driving, Concentration Scale, and Mindful Attention Awareness Scale) were also distributed and completed before training. No differences in driving performance were found between the mindfulness and concentration groups, although there was an improvement of braking time and lane maintenance errors for both groups from the first to second run of the driving simulation. As an early investigation of the differences between concentration and mindfulness meditation, results did not support that one form of meditation is better suited than another in this study. Future studies would include testing the extent to which addition of meditation training to a supplemental driving program could improve driver safety.
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Date Issued
2018
Identifier
WFE0000604, uwf:61307
Format
Document (PDF)