Title

Improving target detection in visual search through the augmenting multi-sensory cues

Authors

Authors

P. A. Hancock; J. E. Mercado; J. Merlo;J. B. F. Van Erp

Comments

Authors: contact us about adding a copy of your work at STARS@ucf.edu

Abbreviated Journal Title

Ergonomics

Keywords

auditory cueing; tactile cueing; augmented support; target detection; visual search; TACTILE; ATTENTION; PERFORMANCE; INFORMATION; WORKLOAD; DISPLAYS; GUIDANCE; FEEDBACK; ACQUISITION; INTEGRATION; Engineering, Industrial; Ergonomics; Psychology, Applied; Psychology

Abstract

The present experiment tested 60 individuals on a multiple screen, visual target detection task. Using a within-participant design, individuals received no-cue augmentation, an augmenting tactile cue alone, an augmenting auditory cue alone or both of the latter augmentations in combination. Results showed significant and substantive improvements in performance such that successful search speed was facilitated by more than 43%, errors of omission were reduced by 86% and errors of commission were reduced by more than 77% in the combinatorial cueing condition compared with the non-cued control. These outcomes were not a trade of performance efficiency for associated mental effort because recorded levels of cognitive workload were also reduced by more than 30% in the multi-cued circumstance compared with the control condition. When the tactile modality was incorporated it led to the highest gain in performance speed, when the auditory modality was incorporated, it led to the best levels of performance accuracy. The combined condition rendered the best of each from of performance increment. Reasons for this outcome pattern are discussed alongside their manifest practical benefits. Practitioner Summary: This experiment tested 60 individuals on a multiple screen, visual target detection task. Individuals received no-cue augmentation, tactile cue alone, an augmenting auditory cue alone or both of the latter augmentations in combination. Results showed significant and substantive improvements in the combinatorial cueing condition compared with the non-cued control.

Journal Title

Ergonomics

Volume

56

Issue/Number

5

Publication Date

1-1-2013

Document Type

Article

Language

English

First Page

729

Last Page

738

WOS Identifier

WOS:000319107300001

ISSN

0014-0139

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