Keywords

extended cognition, spatial reasoning, spatial knowledge acquisition, military training, acquisitions, human systems integration

Abstract

The Direction Orientation Test (DOT) on the current version of the Aviation Selection Test Battery has seen ceiling effects in recent years necessitating a need for a change in how the Navy assesses spatial reasoning, and in part due to techniques which had been taught to examinees prior to their taking the exam. This exam impacts the selection of 1,000 naval aviators across the Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard. As new tests were placed into developmental stages, questions arose whether it was the test that mattered or the techniques, including the ability to extend cognition by utilizing available tools in the environment. This study aims to investigate whether the extension of cognition, or the integration of affordances and techniques improves human performance on the TOT. The study intended to provide metrics for the extension of cognition and compare performance in accuracy and questions attempted. The study included 144 Sailors and Marines participating in one of three conditions: Control, Experimental Condition 1 (EC1), and Experimental Condition 2 (EC2). EC1 participants conducted the trial with the allowance to use paper or pencil (as tools to extend their cognition). EC2 allowed the participants the same utilization as EC1, while integrating spatial reasoning methods taught during the trial. The results showed that the extension of cognition alone, EC1, did not outperform the other groups in accuracy, or questions attempted but yielded the shortest response time. EC2 outperformed the groups in accuracy and questions attempted but yielded the longest response time. These results demonstrate that when seeking overall effectiveness with a new training tool or method that considerations must be given to how the human in the loop will interact with the tools and techniques, and their basic understanding of the intended utilization will show performance improvements. This approach applies to many designers and developers across the modeling and simulation space to drive at improved efficiencies in transitioning innovations.

Completion Date

2024

Semester

Summer

Committee Chair

Maraj, Crystal

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

College

College of Sciences

Department

Modeling, Simulation, and Training

Degree Program

Modeling and Simulation

Format

application/pdf

Release Date

8-15-2025

Length of Campus-only Access

1 year

Access Status

Doctoral Dissertation (Campus-only Access)

Campus Location

Orlando (Main) Campus

Accessibility Status

Meets minimum standards for ETDs/HUTs

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Restricted to the UCF community until 8-15-2025; it will then be open access.

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