Scan-based eye tracking measures are predictive of workload transition performance.

Given there is no unifying theory or design guidance for workload transitions, this work investigated how visual attention allocation patterns could inform both topics, by understanding if scan-based eye tracking metrics could predict workload transition performance trends in a context-relevant domain. The eye movements of sixty Naval flight students were tracked as workload transitioned at a slow, medium, and fast pace in an unmanned aerial vehicle testbed. Four scan-based metrics were significant predictors across the different growth curve models of response time and accuracy.

An examination of relations between baseline pupil measures and cognitive abilities.

Examining individual differences in pupil size and pupillary dynamics have revealed important insights into the nature of individual differences in cognitive abilities like working memory capacity, long-term memory, attention control, and fluid intelligence. These findings are often tied to the locus coeruleus-norepinephrine (LC-NE) system, as this system has a tight temporal correlation with pupil diameter. Some recent research has demonstrated positive correlations between resting pupil size and cognitive ability, specifically fluid intelligence.

Limitations of current spatial ability testing for military aviators.

Spatial ability has long been considered an important attribute when identifying military aviators. This paper examines the Direction Orientation Task (DOT), which is currently used by the US military to assess spatial ability in aviation applicants. Several limitations of the test, such as a limited number of trials and the availability of practice trials online, make it subject to potential ceiling effects.

Near-Perfect Automation: Investigating Performance, Trust, and Visual Attention Allocation.

Objective: Assess performance, trust, and visual attention during the monitoring of a near-perfect automated system.

Background: Research rarely attempts to assess performance, trust, and visual attention in near-perfect automated systems even though they will be relied on in high-stakes environments.

Methods: Seventy-three participants completed a 40-min supervisory control task where they monitored three search feeds.

Detecting automation failures in a simulated supervisory control environment.

The goal of this research was to determine how individuals perform and allocate their visual attention when monitoring multiple automated displays that differ in automation reliability. Ninety-six participants completed a simulated supervisory control task where each automated display had a different level of reliability (namely 70%, 85% and 95%). In addition, participants completed a high and low workload condition.

Pupil size as a measure of within-task learning.

Pupillometry is commonly used in research to determine how much mental effort an individual is exerting while completing tasks. Traditionally, larger pupils are associated with increased mental effort when completing more difficult tasks. However, little research has investigated how pupils change as individuals learn a new task.