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Dang JA, Shaw TH, McKnight PE, Helton WS. A Closer Look at Warning Cues on the Sustained Attention to Response Task Performance. HUMAN FACTORS 2023; 65:1793-1803. [PMID: 35089114 DOI: 10.1177/00187208211060708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We investigated the effects of auditory cues of varying reliability levels on response inhibition performance using a target detection task to determine if external cues offer performance benefits. Further, we examined how the slope of the speed accuracy trade-off changes as a function of auditory cue reliability and used the trade-off to understand where any performance gains may be realized. BACKGROUND Researchers have proposed that the sustained attention to response task (SART) can be used to study the mechanisms causing failures of response inhibition. External cues may mitigate the results of motor inhibition failure. The extent to which external cues can effectively aid performance depends on the level of cue reliability. METHOD Ninety-one participants performed three SARTs with auditory cue assistance at three different levels of reliability (i.e. 0%, 60% and 100% reliable at cueing imminent No-Go stimuli). RESULTS We observed fewer errors of commission and faster reaction time in conditions with higher cue reliability. The slope of speed-accuracy trade-off relationship was impacted by cue reliability and was not a simple linear function. CONCLUSION Reliable auditory cues aid performance by reducing reaction time and errors of commission. Auditory cues also impact the relationship between speed and accuracy trade-off. APPLICATION Insights of cue effectiveness at different reliability levels help people make informed decisions in developing automation interfaces or sensors based on expected performance. Reliable cues mitigate the risk of impulsive errors; however, the reliability has to be high to have a noticeable impact on the speed-accuracy trade-off.
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Waldfogle GE, Garibaldi AE, Neigel AR, Szalma JL. 'I need a break': the effect of choice of rest break duration on vigilance. ERGONOMICS 2021; 64:1509-1521. [PMID: 34328396 DOI: 10.1080/00140139.2021.1960428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Vigilance is the ability to sustain attention for an extended period of time and to respond to infrequently occurring critical signals. One of the most replicable findings within the vigilance literature is the performance decrement; the decline in performance as time on task increases. In an effort to attenuate the decrement, and decrease the workload and stress associated with vigilance, the present study investigated the role of choice of rest break duration on vigilance performance, perceived workload, and stress. Participants were assigned to one of three conditions: (1) choice condition, (2) no-choice condition (yoked-control), and (3) a no-break control condition. Participants completed a sensory vigilance task and common measures of workload and stress. A vigilance decrement was observed in all conditions. Participants in the choice condition exhibited more conservative responses and fewer false alarms than the no-choice condition. Across all conditions, task engagement and worry decreased, and distress increased. Practitioner Summary: This study shows the impact of rest breaks and autonomy on vigilance task performance. The findings suggest that resource theory is a plausible explanation for the vigilance decrement. Additionally, providing a choice in rest break length changes the operator's criterion following the break. Abbreviations: TSA: transportation security administration; SART: sustained attention to response task; ERP: event-related potential; S-DT: self-determination theory; ISI: interstimulus interval; DSSQ: dundee stress state questionnaire; CFQ: cognitive failures questionnaire; BP: boredom proneness; NASA-TLX: NASA task load index; IMI: intrinsic motivation inventory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace E Waldfogle
- Performance Research Laboratory, Psychology Department, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Allison E Garibaldi
- Performance Research Laboratory, Psychology Department, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Alexis R Neigel
- Performance Research Laboratory, Psychology Department, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - James L Szalma
- Performance Research Laboratory, Psychology Department, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
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Mensen JM, Dang JS, Stets AJ, Helton WS. The effects of real-time performance feedback and performance emphasis on the sustained attention to response task (SART). PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2021; 86:1972-1979. [PMID: 34623490 DOI: 10.1007/s00426-021-01602-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The sustained attention to response task (SART) has been used for over 20 years to assess participants' response times and inability to withhold to No-Go stimuli (commission errors). While there is debate in the literature regarding what causes commissions errors in the SART, there is agreement the SART is subject to a speed-accuracy trade-off (SATO). Researchers have demonstrated that performance on the SART can be influenced by directive instructions to participants to prioritize either speed or accuracy during the task. In the present study, we investigated whether real-time performance feedback and whether feedback emphasis (emphasizing speed or accuracy) affected participants' response times and accuracy. We found performance feedback per se had no impact on performance, but performance emphasis did affect performance, apparently shifting the SATO. This finding provides further evidence that the commission errors in the SART are not indicative of sustained attention or vigilance as those terms are commonly used in the literature, but more likely assess response strategy and motor control (or lack of motor control). These findings have implications for the psychological assessment literature, as well as applied areas where SART findings have been utilized such as shoot/no-shoot decision making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin M Mensen
- George Mason University, 4400 University Dr, Fairfax, VA, 22030, USA.
| | - Jasmine S Dang
- George Mason University, 4400 University Dr, Fairfax, VA, 22030, USA
| | - Andrew J Stets
- George Mason University, 4400 University Dr, Fairfax, VA, 22030, USA
| | - William S Helton
- George Mason University, 4400 University Dr, Fairfax, VA, 22030, USA
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Huijser S, Verkaik M, van Vugt MK, Taatgen NA. Captivated by thought: "Sticky" thinking leaves traces of perceptual decoupling in task-evoked pupil size. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0243532. [PMID: 33296415 PMCID: PMC7725397 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0243532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Throughout the day, we may sometimes catch ourselves in patterns of thought that we experience as rigid and difficult to disengage from. Such "sticky" thinking can be highly disruptive to ongoing tasks, and when it turns into rumination constitutes a vulnerability for mental disorders such as depression and anxiety. The main goal of the present study was to explore the stickiness dimension of thought, by investigating how stickiness is reflected in task performance and pupil size. To measure spontaneous thought processes, we asked participants to perform a sustained attention to response task (SART), in which we embedded the participant's concerns to potentially increase the probability of observing sticky thinking. The results indicated that sticky thinking was most frequently experienced when participants were disengaged from the task. Such episodes of sticky thought could be discriminated from neutral and non-sticky thought by an increase in errors on infrequent no-go trials. Furthermore, we found that sticky thought was associated with smaller pupil responses during correct responding. These results demonstrate that participants can report on the stickiness of their thought, and that stickiness can be investigated using pupillometry. In addition, the results suggest that sticky thought may limit attention and exertion of cognitive control to the task.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Huijser
- Bernoulli Institute for Mathematics, Computer Science, and Artificial Intelligence, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Mathanja Verkaik
- Bernoulli Institute for Mathematics, Computer Science, and Artificial Intelligence, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Marieke K van Vugt
- Bernoulli Institute for Mathematics, Computer Science, and Artificial Intelligence, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Niels A Taatgen
- Bernoulli Institute for Mathematics, Computer Science, and Artificial Intelligence, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
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You are measuring the decision to be fast, not inattention: the Sustained Attention to Response Task does not measure sustained attention. Exp Brain Res 2018; 236:2255-2262. [DOI: 10.1007/s00221-018-5291-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2017] [Accepted: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
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Wilson KM, de Joux NR, Finkbeiner KM, Russell PN, Retzler JR, Helton WS. Prolonging the response movement inhibits the feed-forward motor program in the sustained attention to response task. Acta Psychol (Amst) 2018; 183:75-84. [PMID: 29351864 DOI: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2018.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2017] [Revised: 11/03/2017] [Accepted: 01/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite widespread use in clinical and experimental contexts, debate continues over whether or not the Sustained Attention to Response Task (SART) successfully measures sustained attention. Altering physical aspects of the response movement required to SART stimuli may help identify whether performance is a better measure of perceptual decoupling, or response strategies and motor inhibition. Participants completed a SART where they had to manually move a mouse cursor to respond to stimuli, and another SART where this extra movement was not required, as in a typical SART. Additionally, stimuli were located at either a close or a far distance away. Commission errors were inversely related to distance in the manual movement condition, as the farther distance led to longer response times which gave participants more time to inhibit prepotent responses and thus prevent commission errors. Self-reported measures of mental demand and fatigue suggested there were no differences in mental demands between the manual and automatic condition; instead the differences were primarily in physical demands. No differences were found for task-unrelated thoughts between the manual and automatic condition. The movement effect combined with participants' subjective reports are evidence for time dependent action stopping, not greater cognitive engagement. These findings support a response strategy perspective as opposed to a perceptual decoupling perspective, and have implications for authors considering using the SART. Applied implications of this research are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle M Wilson
- Department of Psychology, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, United Kingdom.
| | - Neil R de Joux
- Department of Psychology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | | | - Paul N Russell
- Department of Psychology, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Jenny R Retzler
- York Health Economics Consortium, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - William S Helton
- Department of Psychology, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
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Fortenbaugh FC, DeGutis J, Esterman M. Recent theoretical, neural, and clinical advances in sustained attention research. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2017; 1396:70-91. [PMID: 28260249 PMCID: PMC5522184 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.13318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2016] [Revised: 12/27/2016] [Accepted: 01/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Models of attention often distinguish among attention subtypes, with classic models separating orienting, switching, and sustaining functions. Compared with other forms of attention, the neurophysiological basis of sustaining attention has received far less notice, yet it is known that momentary failures of sustained attention can have far-ranging negative effects in healthy individuals, and lasting sustained attention deficits are pervasive in clinical populations. In recent years, however, there has been increased interest in characterizing moment-to-moment fluctuations in sustained attention, in addition to the overall vigilance decrement, and understanding how these neurocognitive systems change over the life span and across various clinical populations. The use of novel neuroimaging paradigms and statistical approaches has allowed for better characterization of the neural networks supporting sustained attention and has highlighted dynamic interactions within and across multiple distributed networks that predict behavioral performance. These advances have also provided potential biomarkers to identify individuals with sustained attention deficits. These findings have led to new theoretical models explaining why sustaining focused attention is a challenge for individuals and form the basis for the next generation of sustained attention research, which seeks to accurately diagnose and develop theoretically driven treatments for sustained attention deficits that affect a variety of clinical populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca C. Fortenbaugh
- Neuroimaging Research for Veterans (NeRVe) Center, VA Boston Healthcare System
- Boston Attention & Learning Laboratory, VA Boston Healthcare System
- Geriatric Research, Education, & Clinical Center (GRECC), VA Boston Healthcare System
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
| | - Joseph DeGutis
- Boston Attention & Learning Laboratory, VA Boston Healthcare System
- Geriatric Research, Education, & Clinical Center (GRECC), VA Boston Healthcare System
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
| | - Michael Esterman
- Neuroimaging Research for Veterans (NeRVe) Center, VA Boston Healthcare System
- Boston Attention & Learning Laboratory, VA Boston Healthcare System
- Geriatric Research, Education, & Clinical Center (GRECC), VA Boston Healthcare System
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine
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Wilson KM, de Joux NR, Finkbeiner KM, Russell PN, Helton WS. The effect of task-relevant and irrelevant anxiety-provoking stimuli on response inhibition. Conscious Cogn 2016; 42:358-365. [DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2016.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2015] [Revised: 04/15/2016] [Accepted: 04/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Steinborn MB, Langner R, Flehmig HC, Huestegge L. Everyday Life Cognitive Instability Predicts Simple Reaction Time Variability: Analysis of Reaction Time Distributions and Delta Plots. APPLIED COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY 2015. [DOI: 10.1002/acp.3172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Robert Langner
- Institute of Clinical Neuroscience and Medical Psychology; Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf; Düsseldorf Germany
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-1); Research Centre Jülich; Jülich Germany
| | - Hagen C. Flehmig
- Department of Forensic Psychiatry; Saxon Hospital Großschweidnitz; Großschweidnitz Germany
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