Title

The Functional Fidelity Of Individual Differences Research: The Case For Context-Matching

Keywords

Diagnostic monitoring; Individual differences; Operator selection; Personality; Skilled performance

Abstract

Applying basic research on individual differences in performance requires a kind of 'functional fidelity'. That is, the laboratory environment must elicit individual differences in cognition and emotion similar to those seen in the operational setting. Studies of conventional personality traits and performance often lack this functional fidelity. Four research directions for enhancing functional fidelity are proposed. First, a greater focus on simulated operational tasks that require cognitive skills is requisite. Second, contexts relevant to specific personality traits, such as social demands, may be simulated in the laboratory. Third, traits linked to a specific performance context, such as vehicle driving, may be developed and validated. Fourth, psychophysiological responses to tasks that reproduce operational cognitive demands may be used as predictors, as exemplified in recent studies of vigilance. Enhancements to functional fidelity will assist human factors practitioners in accommodating the role of individual differences in operator selection, diagnostic monitoring and augmented cognition. © 2011 Taylor & Francis.

Publication Date

9-1-2011

Publication Title

Theoretical Issues in Ergonomics Science

Volume

12

Issue

5

Number of Pages

435-450

Document Type

Article

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.1080/1463922X.2010.549247

Socpus ID

79960678948 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/79960678948

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