Variations in attention as measured by accuracy and reaction time over the course of a continuous performance task
Abstract
This study developed and examined new methods to identify and quantify moment to moment fluctuations in attention as measured during an auditory Continuous Performance Task (CPT). The study had three major components. The first was the investigation of methods to describe and quantify fluctuations of good performance in CPT data. Results of that investigation were two techniques, one which examined the number and length of hit runs (one or more consecutive successful target detections) in the data, and the second which examined response data via a spectral analysis process. Methodologies were thoroughly tested to assess their influences on the data. The positive results were a strong indicator of the validity of these techniques for identification and description of fluctuations in CPT performance. The application of those techniques to real CPT data was the second major component. Twenty to twenty-five minutes of archival CPT data from 40 participants was examined. The nature of runs of good performance (hit runs) was described and the presence and distribution of periodicity in the data was identified. Differences between people of different competencies were also assessed. Accuracy and reaction time measures were used. General findings suggested that runs and periodicity were detectable in subject performance, and that there were minimal differences in the nature of these fluctuations between subjects of differing ability. The third component of this work comprised the validity testing of the techniques. Methods for examining the origins of fluctuations in CPT performance were designed. The primary question addressed was, were the findings in component 2 attributable to some fluctuation in an attention mechanism, or were they due to some random factor or some artifact of test structure? The methodology involved the creation of 4000 simulated data sets. Simulated data sets were matched to subject performance categories. Quantitative and qualitative comparisons between human and simulated subjects failed to provide firm evidence of differences between the two groups. Possible explanations for the results are discussed. ^
Subject Area
Psychology, Psychobiology|Psychology, Clinical|Psychology, Experimental
Recommended Citation
Kevin Joseph Smith,
"Variations in attention as measured by accuracy and reaction time over the course of a continuous performance task"
(1997).
Dissertations and Master's Theses (Campus Access).
Paper AAI9805252.
http://digitalcommons.uri.edu/dissertations/AAI9805252