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Attention and human errors in multitask performance

Published: 24 September 2013 Publication History

Abstract

This study examines prospective memory errors in programmer multitasking emphasizing how attention affects performance. It demonstrates that strategically, specific instruction has the benefit of reducing the occurrence of habit intrusion error. It emphasized on how attention affects performance among a group of computer science and engineering students (N=60). The study reports a taxonomical analysis of prospective memory errors. An experimental paradigm was developed to perform a taxonomical analysis of prospective memory errors. There was a significant effect of attention on omission error. Analysis of various errors contributing to overall prospective memory performance failure revealed that omission error comprised of 70.49%, target multi-response error comprised of 16.39%, invalid response error comprised of 11.48%, and habit intrusion error (even though intended to be eliminated) comprised of 1.64%.

References

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McDaniel, M. A., & Einstein, G. O. Spontaneous retrieval in prospective memory. In J. S. Nairne (Ed.), The Foundations of Remembering: Essays in Honor of Henry L. Roediger, III. Psychology Press, NY, USA, 2007.
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Dismukes, R. K. Concurrent task management and prospective memory: Pilot error as a model for the vulnerability of experts. Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 50th Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA, USA (2006). Retrieved February 24, 2008, from http://human-factors.arc.nasa.gov/flightcognition/Publications/Dismukes_HFES.pdf.
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    cover image ACM Conferences
    APCHI '13: Proceedings of the 11th Asia Pacific Conference on Computer Human Interaction
    September 2013
    420 pages
    ISBN:9781450322539
    DOI:10.1145/2525194
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    Published: 24 September 2013

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    Author Tags

    1. attention
    2. cognitive ergonomics
    3. display
    4. error
    5. multitasking

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