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- Title
- HYSTERESIS EFFECTS IN DRIVING.
- Creator
-
Morgan, Justin, Hancock, Peter, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
This dissertation presents two studies examining the interaction between workload history and driver mental workload. The first experiment focuses on testing for the presence of a hysteresis effect in the driving task. The second experiment examines the proposition that cueing impending periods of higher task demand can reduce the impact of any such potential hysteresis effects. Thirty-two licensed drivers served as participants and all served in both studies. Using the directions provided by...
Show moreThis dissertation presents two studies examining the interaction between workload history and driver mental workload. The first experiment focuses on testing for the presence of a hysteresis effect in the driving task. The second experiment examines the proposition that cueing impending periods of higher task demand can reduce the impact of any such potential hysteresis effects. Thirty-two licensed drivers served as participants and all served in both studies. Using the directions provided by a Heads-Up-Display navigation system, participants followed a pre-set route in the simulated environment. At specified points within the drive, the navigation system would purposefully fail which required drivers to relay a ten digit alphanumeric error code to a remote operator in order to reset the system. Results indicated that this increase in task demand from the navigation system's failure leads to a significant increase in perceived mental workload as compared to pre-failure periods. This increase in driver mental workload was not significantly reduced by the time the drive ended, indicating the presence of a hysteresis effect. In the second experiment, the navigation system provided a completely reliable visual warning before failure. Results indicate that cueing had neither an effect on perceived mental workload, nor any ameliorating effect on the hysteretic type effect seen in mental workload recovery. The conclusion of these findings being that the overall safety and efficiency of the surface transportation system would likely improve by designs which accommodate the periods immediately following a reduction in stress. Whether from leaving high demand areas such as work zones or in the period immediately after using a in-car information device such as a GPS or a cell phone, these post-high workload periods are associated with increased variability in driver inputs and levels of mental workload.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2008
- Identifier
- CFE0002169, ucf:47925
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002169
- Title
- THE EFFECTS OF SCREEN SIZE ON PERFORMANCE OF A MODIFIED CODE SUBSTITUTION TASK.
- Creator
-
Stafford, Shawn, Hancock, Peter, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Understanding the effects of the visual display size of a task on human performance has long been a goal of research in the United States Military. The present work is a series of three studies which focus on distinguishing which specific aspects of display size each affect performance response capacity. The three sequential studies represented here manipulated viewing conditions and task type. These studies were derived from a code substitution cognitive battery using four display sizes and...
Show moreUnderstanding the effects of the visual display size of a task on human performance has long been a goal of research in the United States Military. The present work is a series of three studies which focus on distinguishing which specific aspects of display size each affect performance response capacity. The three sequential studies represented here manipulated viewing conditions and task type. These studies were derived from a code substitution cognitive battery using four display sizes and three viewing conditions. The first viewing condition is controlled distance to the display. The second viewing condition allowed the participants to choose their own viewing distance. The second condition, Free movement, provided the data for the third viewing condition where the participant was held to a constant visual angle and changing distance. In summary the three sequential experiments are free movement to and from the display, controlled distance to the display, and controlled visual angle while changing display distance. The four display sizes were in part selected in association with SME's from UCF and the United States Army (PDA 320x280, Tablet 800x600, Small - LCD 1280x1024, Large LCD 1600x1200). These four displays are representative of the four display sizes widely used by our armed forces. Three workload levels were manipulated by restricting the viewing time to 300ms on target at the shortest interval through 700ms on target, to finally 3000ms on target. The 3000ms represents the standard amount of time used in a code substitution task, while 700ms and 300ms are present as a result of the pilot studies and thus representing higher workloads. Results indicate all displays sizes suffered performance diminution in the 700 ms and 300 ms condition. The three largest displays had indistinguishable performance results. The smallest display while indistinguishable from the larger three displays in the 3000 ms condition has significant accuracy diminution in the 700 ms and 300 ms conditions when compared to the three larger displays.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2009
- Identifier
- CFE0002946, ucf:47967
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002946
- Title
- TRUST ON THE WEB: THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL CONSENSUS ON INFORMATION CREDIBILITY.
- Creator
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Del Giudice, Katherine, Hancock, Peter, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Models of the need-driven information search and the information appraisal process were formed from a comprehensive literature review of factors affecting perceived credibility and trust in online information. The social component of online credibility has not, to date, been thoroughly researched. This componentÃÂ's impact on the development of the perceived credibility of online information was examined in two experiments. In the first experiment, the impact of...
Show moreModels of the need-driven information search and the information appraisal process were formed from a comprehensive literature review of factors affecting perceived credibility and trust in online information. The social component of online credibility has not, to date, been thoroughly researched. This componentÃÂ's impact on the development of the perceived credibility of online information was examined in two experiments. In the first experiment, the impact of positive, mixed, and negative social feedback on the development of the perceived credibility of a web page was evaluated. In the second experiment, the effect of social feedback on credibility was examined under two levels of motivation for information use to investigate whether social feedback becomes less important as motivation to obtain quality information increases. The results of Experiment 1 suggest that type of feedback can influence perceived web page credibility. Pages with negative audience feedback received the lowest credibility ratings, while pages with positive audience feedback received the highest credibility ratings. Pages with mixed or no audience feedback received higher credibility ratings than pages with negative feedback, but lower credibility ratings than pages with positive feedback. In Experiment 2, high motivation did not impact the number of web page elements participants reported that they used to determine credibility. High motivation for information use also did not reduce the impact of audience feedback on perceived credibility.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2010
- Identifier
- CFE0003240, ucf:48540
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003240
- Title
- The Perceptual and Decisional Basis of Emotion Identification in Creative Writing.
- Creator
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Williams, Sarah, Bohil, Corey, Hancock, Peter, Smither, Janan, Johnson, Dan, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The goal of this research was to assess the ability of readers to determine the emotion of a passage of text, be it fictional or non-fictional. The research includes examining how genre (fiction and non-fiction) and emotion (positive emotion, such as happiness, and negative emotion, such as anger) interact to form a reading experience. Reading is an activity that many, if not most, humans undertake in either a professional or leisure capacity. Researchers are thus interested in the effect...
Show moreThe goal of this research was to assess the ability of readers to determine the emotion of a passage of text, be it fictional or non-fictional. The research includes examining how genre (fiction and non-fiction) and emotion (positive emotion, such as happiness, and negative emotion, such as anger) interact to form a reading experience. Reading is an activity that many, if not most, humans undertake in either a professional or leisure capacity. Researchers are thus interested in the effect reading has on the individual, particularly with regards to empathy. Some researchers believe reading fosters empathy; others think empathy might already be present in those who enjoy reading. A greater understanding of this dispute could be provided by general recognition theory (GRT). GRT allows researchers to investigate how stimulus dimensions interact in an observer's mind: on a perceptual or decisional level. In the context of reading, this allows researchers to look at how emotion is tied in with (or inseparable from) genre, or if the ability to determine the emotion of a passage is independent from the genre of the passage. In the reported studies, participants read passages and responded to questions on the passages and their content. Empathy scores significantly predicted discriminability of passage categories, as did reported hours spent reading per week. Non-fiction passages were easier to identify than fiction, and positive emotion classification was affiliated with non-fiction classification.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFE0007877, ucf:52760
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007877
- Title
- The Relationship between Agile Project Management and Project Success Outcomes.
- Creator
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Bergmann, Thomas, Karwowski, Waldemar, Elshennawy, Ahmad, Hancock, Peter, Mikusinski, Piotr, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Agile project management (APM) has recently emerged as a new approach to managing complex projects. Some experts believe that APM will become the standard project management approach used in the 21st century. However, thus far, the role of agility in project management has not been widely investigated. In the recent past, the concept of agility has mainly been applied to software development projects. The literature on agility is still in its early stages, and further research needs to be...
Show moreAgile project management (APM) has recently emerged as a new approach to managing complex projects. Some experts believe that APM will become the standard project management approach used in the 21st century. However, thus far, the role of agility in project management has not been widely investigated. In the recent past, the concept of agility has mainly been applied to software development projects. The literature on agility is still in its early stages, and further research needs to be conducted in new project management domains.This study is intended to determine the impact of the adoption of APM on project success as perceived by project managers. This investigative approach can be applied to any project domain. In addition, the influencing effects of project complexity on the results of projects are analyzed. Through an analysis of the existing literature, critical success factors and success criteria are identified to develop a model that can be used to assess current APM practice.The research questions are answered by means of an empirical study that collected data using an online survey that was distributed to project managers located across the United States. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling are performed to gauge the validity of the proposed research model.The study results show a significant positive relationship between APM and project success. Furthermore, a weak negative association is identified between project complexity and project success, suggesting a need for further research into and refinement of the project complexity construct. Finally, the results reveal an apparent need for additional education and certification in the field of project management, which are expected to lead to an increased use of agile approaches to project management in the future.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFE0007391, ucf:52070
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007391
- Title
- Assessment of Information Security Culture in Higher Education.
- Creator
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Glaspie, Henry, Karwowski, Waldemar, Wan, Thomas, Hancock, Peter, Caulkins, Bruce, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Information security programs are instituted by organizations to provide guidance to their users who handle their data and systems. The main goal of these programs is to protect the organization's information assets through the creation and cultivation of a positive information security culture within the organization. As the collection and use of data expands in all economic sectors, the threat of data breach due to human error increases. Employee's behavior towards information security is...
Show moreInformation security programs are instituted by organizations to provide guidance to their users who handle their data and systems. The main goal of these programs is to protect the organization's information assets through the creation and cultivation of a positive information security culture within the organization. As the collection and use of data expands in all economic sectors, the threat of data breach due to human error increases. Employee's behavior towards information security is influenced by the organizations information security programs and the overall information security culture. This study examines the human factors of an information security program and their effect on the information security culture. These human factors consist of stringency of organizational policies, behavior deterrence, employee attitudes towards information security, training and awareness, and management support of the information security programs. A survey questionnaire was given to employees in the Florida College System to measure the human aspects of the information security programs. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) were used to investigate the relationships between the variables in the study using IBM(&)#174; SPSS(&)#174; Amos 24 software. The study results show that management support and behavior deterrence have a significant positive relationship with information security. Additionally, the results show no significant association between information security culture and organization policies, employee commitment and employee awareness. This suggests a need for further refinement of the model and the survey tool design to properly assess human factors of information security programs and their effects on the organizational security culture.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFE0007184, ucf:52272
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007184
- Title
- Destination Image and Tourist's Imagination: The Forgotten Component.
- Creator
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Khalilzadeh, Jalayer, Pizam, Abraham, Fyall, Alan, Tasci, Asli, Hancock, Peter, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The objectives of this dissertation was to 1) develop a comprehensive scale to measure visitors' imagination, 2) investigate the structural relationship between imagination and tourism destination image (TDI) components of cognitive, affective, and conative, 3) compare and contrast the various qualities of vividness, richness, saliency, control, and spatial between imagination and prospection, and 4) study the impact of different information sources on the evolving process of prospection to...
Show moreThe objectives of this dissertation was to 1) develop a comprehensive scale to measure visitors' imagination, 2) investigate the structural relationship between imagination and tourism destination image (TDI) components of cognitive, affective, and conative, 3) compare and contrast the various qualities of vividness, richness, saliency, control, and spatial between imagination and prospection, and 4) study the impact of different information sources on the evolving process of prospection to imagination. By conducting four different studies and seven data collection phases, the imagination scale was developed, validated, and utilized to test the proposed structural and differential hypotheses. In study 1, the phenomenology approach was employed and through a series of interviews, the internal experience of the imagination process was extracted. In study 2, which is composed of two focus groups, the potential manifest variables to measure imagination/prospection were developed and the structure of the questionnaire was designed. In study 3, through 3 data collection phases, two versions of long and short imagination scale questionnaire were validated and the structural relationships between imagination and destination image was investigated. In the final study, utilizing experimental design, hypotheses related to five qualities of imagination were compared to those of prospection. Finally, by adopting an exploratory approach, the impact of different information sources on imagination was investigated. The results of this dissertation indicated that the imagination scale is a reliable and valid scale to be used in various hospitality and tourism consumption contexts. It shows a high discriminant validity with TDI and structurally moderates the inter-relationships of the TDI components. In addition, findings of this dissertation support the theoretical discussions on the differences between imagination and prospection. Finally, the results revealed significant distinctions among image, video, and textual information sources regarding their impact on the quality of the mental image.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFE0007207, ucf:52279
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007207
- Title
- A Study of Perceptions on Incident Response Exercises, Information Sharing, Situational Awareness, and Incident Response Planning in Power Grid Utilities.
- Creator
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Garmon, Joseph, Karwowski, Waldemar, Hancock, Peter, Elshennawy, Ahmad, Wan, Thomas, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The power grid is facing increasing risks from a cybersecurity attack. Attacks that shut off electricity in Ukraine have already occurred, and successful compromises of the power grid that did not shut off electricity to customers have been privately disclosed in North America. The objective of this study is to identify how perceptions of various factors emphasized in the electric sector affect incident response planning. Methods used include a survey of 229 power grid personnel and the use...
Show moreThe power grid is facing increasing risks from a cybersecurity attack. Attacks that shut off electricity in Ukraine have already occurred, and successful compromises of the power grid that did not shut off electricity to customers have been privately disclosed in North America. The objective of this study is to identify how perceptions of various factors emphasized in the electric sector affect incident response planning. Methods used include a survey of 229 power grid personnel and the use of partial least squares structural equation modeling to identify causal relationships. This study reveals the relationships between perceptions by personnel responsible for cybersecurity, regarding incident response exercises, information sharing, and situational awareness, and incident response planning. The results confirm that the efforts by the industry on these topics have advanced planning for a potential attack.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFE0007805, ucf:52349
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007805
- Title
- A study of nonlinear dynamics of EEG responses to simulated unmanned vehicle tasks.
- Creator
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Xu, Ziqing, Karwowski, Waldemar, Hancock, Peter, Reinerman, Lauren, Mikusinski, Piotr, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
In the contemporary world, mental workload becomes higher as technology evolves and task demand becomes overwhelming. The operators of a system are usually required to complete tasks with higher complicity within a shorter period of time. Continuous operation under a high level of mental workload can be a major source of risk and human error, thus put the operator in a hazardous working environment. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor and assess mental workload. In this study, an unmanned...
Show moreIn the contemporary world, mental workload becomes higher as technology evolves and task demand becomes overwhelming. The operators of a system are usually required to complete tasks with higher complicity within a shorter period of time. Continuous operation under a high level of mental workload can be a major source of risk and human error, thus put the operator in a hazardous working environment. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor and assess mental workload. In this study, an unmanned vehicle operation with visual detection tasks was investigated by means of nonlinear analysis of EEG time series. Nonlinear analysis is considered more advantageous compared with traditional power spectrum analysis of EEG. Besides, nonlinear analysis is more capable to capture the nature of EEG data and human performance, which is a process that subjects to constant changes. By examining the nonlinear dynamics of EEG, it is more likely to obtain a deeper understanding of brain activity.The objective of this study is to investigate the mental workload under different task levels through the examination of brain activity via nonlinear dynamics of EEG time series in simulated unmanned ground vehicle visual detection tasks.The experiment was conducted by the team lead by Dr. Lauren Reinerman Jones at Institute for Simulation (&) Training, University of Central Florida. One hundred and fifty subjects participated the experiment to complete four visual detection task scenarios (1) change detection, (2) threat detection task, (3) dual task with different change detection task rates, and (4) dual task with different threat detection task rates. Their EEG was recorded during performing the tasks at nine EEG channels. This study develops a massive data processing program to calculate the largest Lyapunov exponent, correlation dimension of the EEG data. This study also develops the program for performing 0-1 test on the EEG data in Python language environment. The result of this study verifies the existence of chaotic dynamics in EEG time series, reveals the change in brain activity as the effect of changing task demand in more detailed level, and obtains new insights from the psychophysiological mental workload measurement used in the preliminary study. The results of this study verified the existence of the chaotic dynamics in the EEG time series. This study also supported the hypothesis that EEG data exhibits change in the level of nonlinearity corresponding to differed task levels. The nonlinear analysis of EEG time series data is able to discriminate the change in brain activity derived from the changes in task load. All nonlinear dynamics analysis techniques used in this study is able to find the difference of nonlinearity in EEG among task levels, as well as between single task scenario and dual task scenario.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFE0007558, ucf:52615
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007558
- Title
- Equivalency Analysis of Sidestick Controller Modes During Manual Flight.
- Creator
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Rummel, Alex, Karwowski, Waldemar, Elshennawy, Ahmad, Hancock, Peter, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Equivalency analysis is a statistical procedure that can enhance the findings of an analysis of variance in the case when non-significant differences are identified. The demonstration of functional equivalence or the absence of practical differences is useful to designers introducing new technologies to the flight deck. Proving functional equivalence is an effective means to justify the implementation of new technologies that must be (")the same or better(") than previous technology. This...
Show moreEquivalency analysis is a statistical procedure that can enhance the findings of an analysis of variance in the case when non-significant differences are identified. The demonstration of functional equivalence or the absence of practical differences is useful to designers introducing new technologies to the flight deck. Proving functional equivalence is an effective means to justify the implementation of new technologies that must be (")the same or better(") than previous technology. This study examines the functional equivalency of three operational modes of a new active control sidestick during normal operations while performing manual piloting tasks. Data from a between-subjects, repeated-measures simulator test was analyzed using analysis of variance and equivalency analysis. Ten pilots participated in the simulator test which was conducted in a fixed-base, business jet simulator. Pilots performed maneuvers such as climbing and descending turns and ILS approaches using three sidestick modes: active, unlinked, and passive. RMS error for airspeed, flight path angle, and bank angle were measured in addition to touchdown points on the runway relative to centerline and runway threshold. Results indicate that the three operational modes are functionally equivalent when performing climbing and descending turns. Active and unlinked modes were found to be functionally equivalent when flying an ILS approach, but the passive mode, by a small margin, was not found to be functionally equivalent.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFE0007242, ucf:52226
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007242
- Title
- An Agent Based Model to assess crew temporal variability during U.S. Navy shipboard operations.
- Creator
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Muhs, Kevin, Karwowski, Waldemar, Elshennawy, Ahmad, Hancock, Peter, Sjoden, Glenn, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Understanding the factors that affect human performance variability as well as their temporal impacts is an essential element in fully integrating and designing complex, adaptive environments. This understanding is particularly necessary for high stakes, time-critical routines such as those performed during nuclear reactor, air traffic control, and military operations. Over the last three decades significant efforts have emerged to demonstrate and apply a host of techniques to include...
Show moreUnderstanding the factors that affect human performance variability as well as their temporal impacts is an essential element in fully integrating and designing complex, adaptive environments. This understanding is particularly necessary for high stakes, time-critical routines such as those performed during nuclear reactor, air traffic control, and military operations. Over the last three decades significant efforts have emerged to demonstrate and apply a host of techniques to include Discrete Event Simulation, Bayesian Belief Networks, Neural Networks, and a multitude of existing software applications to provide relevant assessments of human task performance and temporal variability. The objective of this research was to design and develop a novel Agent Based Modeling and Simulation (ABMS) methodology to generate a timeline of work and assess impacts of crew temporal variability during U.S. Navy Small Boat Defense operations in littoral waters.The developed ABMS methodology included human performance models for six crew members (agents) as well as a threat craft, and incorporated varying levels of crew capability and task support. AnyLogic ABMS software was used to simultaneously provide detailed measures of individual sailor performance and of system-level emergent behavior. This methodology and these models were adapted and built to assure extensibility across a broad range of U.S. Navy shipboard operations.Application of the developed ABMS methodology effectively demonstrated a way to visualize and quantify impacts/uncertainties of human temporal variability on both workload and crew effectiveness during U.S. Navy shipboard operations.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFE0007592, ucf:52549
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007592
- Title
- Evaluating Human-Robot Implicit Communication through Human-Human Implicit Communication.
- Creator
-
Richardson, Andrew, Karwowski, Waldemar, Hancock, Peter, Shumaker, Randall, Reinerman, Lauren, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) research is examining ways to make human-robot (HR) communication more natural. Incorporating natural communication techniques is expected to make HR communication seamless and more natural for humans. Humans naturally incorporate implicit levels of communication, and including implicit communication in HR communication should provide tremendous benefit. The aim for this work was to evaluate a model for human-robot implicit communication. Specifically, the...
Show moreHuman-Robot Interaction (HRI) research is examining ways to make human-robot (HR) communication more natural. Incorporating natural communication techniques is expected to make HR communication seamless and more natural for humans. Humans naturally incorporate implicit levels of communication, and including implicit communication in HR communication should provide tremendous benefit. The aim for this work was to evaluate a model for human-robot implicit communication. Specifically, the primary goal for this research was to determine whether humans can assign meanings to implicit cues received from autonomous robots as they do for identical implicit cues received from humans.An experiment was designed to allow participants to assign meanings to identical, implicit cues (pursuing, retreating, investigating, hiding, patrolling) received from humans and robots. Participants were tasked to view random video clips of both entity types, label the implicit cue, and assign a level of confidence in their chosen answer. Physiological data was tracked during the experiment using an electroencephalogram and eye-tracker. Participants answered workload and stress measure questionnaires following each scenario.Results revealed that participants were significantly more accurate with human cues (84%) than with robot cues (82%), however participants were highly accurate, above 80%, for both entity types. Despite the high accuracy for both types, participants remained significantly more confident in answers for humans (6.1) than for robots (5.9) on a confidence scale of 1 - 7.Subjective measures showed no significant differences for stress or mental workload across entities. Physiological measures were not significant for the engagement index acrossentity, but robots resulted in significantly higher levels of cognitive workload for participants via the index of cognitive activity.The results of this study revealed that participants are more confident interpreting human implicit cues than identical cues received from a robot. However, the accuracy of interpreting both entities remained high. Participants showed no significant difference in interpreting different cues across entity as well. Therefore, much of the ability of interpreting an implicit cue resides in the actual cue rather than the entity. Proper training should boost confidence as humans begin to work alongside autonomous robots as teammates, and it is possible to train humans to recognize cues based on the movement, regardless of the entity demonstrating the movement.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- Identifier
- CFE0004429, ucf:49352
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004429
- Title
- The utility of verbal display redundancy in managing pilot's cognitive load during controller-pilot voice communications.
- Creator
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Kratchounova, Daniela, Jentsch, Florian, Mouloua, Mustapha, Hancock, Peter, Wise, John, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Miscommunication between controllers and pilots, potentially resulting from a high pilot cognitive load, has been a causal or contributing factor in a large number of aviation accidents. In this context, failure to communicate can be attributed, among other factors, to an inadequate human-system interface design, the related high cognitive load imposed on the pilot, and poor performance reflected by a higher error rate. To date, voice radio remains in service without any means for managing...
Show moreMiscommunication between controllers and pilots, potentially resulting from a high pilot cognitive load, has been a causal or contributing factor in a large number of aviation accidents. In this context, failure to communicate can be attributed, among other factors, to an inadequate human-system interface design, the related high cognitive load imposed on the pilot, and poor performance reflected by a higher error rate. To date, voice radio remains in service without any means for managing pilot cognitive load by design (as opposed to training or procedures). Such an oversight is what prompted this dissertation. The goals of this study were (a) to investigate the utility of a voice-to-text transcription (V-T-T) of ATC clearances in managing pilot's cognitive load during controller-pilot communications within the context of a modern flight deck environment, and (b) to validate whether a model of variable relationships which is generated in the domain of learning and instruction would (")transfer("), and to what extend, to an operational domain. First, within the theoretical framework built for this dissertation, all the pertaining factors were analyzed. Second, by using the process of synthesis, and based on guidelines generated from that theoretical framework, a redundant verbal display of ATC clearances (i.e., a V-T-T) was constructed. Third, the synthesized device was empirically examined. Thirty four pilots participated in the study (-) seventeen pilots with 100-250 total flight hours and seventeen with (>)500 total flight hours. All participants had flown within sixty days prior to attending the study. The experiment was conducted one pilot at a time in 2.5-hour blocks. A 2 Verbal Display Redundancy (no-redundancy and redundancy) X 2 Verbal Input Complexity (low and high) X 2 Level of Expertise (novices and experts) mixed-model design was used for the study with 5 IFR clearances in each Redundancy X Complexity condition. The results showed that the amounts of reduction of cognitive load and improvement of performance, when verbal display redundancy was provided, were in the range of about 20%. These results indicated that V-T-T is a device which has a tremendous potential to serve as (a) a pilot memory aid, (b) a way to verify a clearance has been captured correctly without having to make a (")Say again(") call, and (c) to ultimately improve the margin of safety by reducing the propensity for human error for the majority of pilot populations including those with English as a second language. Fourth, the results from the validation of theoretical models (")transfer(") showed that although cognitive load remained as a significant predictor of performance, both complexity and redundancy also had unique significant effects on performance. Furthermore, these results indicated that the relationship between these variables was not as (")clear-cut(") in the operational domain investigated here as the models from the domain of learning and instruction suggested. Until further research is conducted, (a) to investigate how changes in the operational task settings via adding additional coding (e.g., permanent record of clearances which can serve as both a memory aid and a way to verify a clearance is captured correctly) affect performance through mechanisms other than cognitive load; and (b) unless the theoretical models are modified to reflect how changes in the input variables impact the outcome in a variety of ways; a degree of prudence should be exercised when the results from the model (")transfer(") validation are applied to operational environments similar to the one investigated in this dissertation research.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- Identifier
- CFE0004251, ucf:49504
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004251
- Title
- Comparing Types of Adaptive Automation within a Multi-Tasking Environment.
- Creator
-
Taylor, Grant, Szalma, James, Hancock, Peter, Mouloua, Mustapha, Reinerman, Lauren, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Throughout the many years of research examining the various effects of automation on operator performance, stress, workload, etc., the focus has traditionally been on the level of automation, and the invocation methods used to alter it. The goal of the current study is to instead examine the utilization of various types of automation with the goal of better meeting the operator's cognitive needs, thus improving their performance, workload, and stress. The task, control of a simulated unmanned...
Show moreThroughout the many years of research examining the various effects of automation on operator performance, stress, workload, etc., the focus has traditionally been on the level of automation, and the invocation methods used to alter it. The goal of the current study is to instead examine the utilization of various types of automation with the goal of better meeting the operator's cognitive needs, thus improving their performance, workload, and stress. The task, control of a simulated unmanned robotic system, is designed to specifically stress the operator's visual perception capabilities to a greater degree. Two types of automation are implemented to support the operator's performance of the task: an auditory beep aid intended to support visual perception resources, and a driving aid automating control of the vehicle's navigation, offloading physical action execution resources. Therefore, a comparison can be made between types of automation intended to specifically support the mental dimension that is under the greatest demand (the auditory beep) against those that do not (the driving automation). An additional evaluation is made to determine the benefit of adaptively adjusting the level of each type of automation based on the current level of task demand, as well as the influence of individual differences in personality.Results indicate that the use of the auditory beep aid does improve performance, but also increases Temporal Demand and Effort. Use of driving automation appears to disengage the operator from the task, eliciting a vigilance response. Adaptively altering the level of automation to meet task demands has a mixed effect on performance and workload (reducing both) when the auditory beep automation is used. However, adaptive driving automation is clearly detrimental, causing an increase in workload while decreasing performance. Higher levels of Neuroticism are related to poorer threat detection performance, but personality differences show no indication of moderating the effects of either of the experimental manipulations. The results of this study show that the type of automation implemented within an environment has a considerable impact on the operator, in terms of performance as well as cognitive/emotional state.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- Identifier
- CFE0004340, ucf:49414
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004340
- Title
- Applied Error Related Negativity: Single Electrode Electroencephalography in Complex Visual Stimuli.
- Creator
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Sawyer, Benjamin, Karwowski, Waldemar, Hancock, Peter, Xanthopoulos, Petros, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Error related negativity (ERN) is a pronounced negative evoked response potential (ERP) that follows a known error. This neural pattern has the potential to communicate user awareness of incorrect actions within milliseconds. While the implications for human-machine interface and augmented cognition are exciting, the ERN has historically been evoked only in the laboratory using complex equipment while presenting simple visual stimuli such as letters and symbols. To effectively harness the...
Show moreError related negativity (ERN) is a pronounced negative evoked response potential (ERP) that follows a known error. This neural pattern has the potential to communicate user awareness of incorrect actions within milliseconds. While the implications for human-machine interface and augmented cognition are exciting, the ERN has historically been evoked only in the laboratory using complex equipment while presenting simple visual stimuli such as letters and symbols. To effectively harness the applied potential of the ERN, detection must be accomplished in complex environments using simple, preferably single-electrode, EEG systems feasible for integration into field and workplace-ready equipment. The present project attempted to use static photographs to evoke and successfully detect the ERN in a complex visual search task: motorcycle conspicuity. Drivers regularly fail to see motorcycles, with tragic results. To reproduce the issue in the lab, static pictures of traffic were presented, either including or not including motorcycles. A standard flanker letter task replicated from a classic ERN study (Gehring et al., 1993) was run alongside, with both studies requiring a binary response. Results showed that the ERN could be clearly detected in both tasks, even when limiting data to a single electrode in the absence of artifact correction. These results support the feasibility of applied ERN detection in complex visual search in static images. Implications and opportunities will be discussed, limitations of the study explained, and future directions explored.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- Identifier
- CFE0005885, ucf:50886
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005885
- Title
- Configural Displays: The effects of salience on multi-level data extraction.
- Creator
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Fok, Audrey, Mouloua, Mustapha, Hancock, Peter, Szalma, James, Pharmer, James, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Displays are a useful tool for users and operators to understand information quickly. Configural displays are effective in supporting focus and divided attention tasks through the use of emergent features. Emergent features are highly salient and are generally used to support divided attention task However, due to the salience of emergent features, a potential performance costs to focused attention tasks arises with configural displays. To address this cost, semantic mapping has been used to...
Show moreDisplays are a useful tool for users and operators to understand information quickly. Configural displays are effective in supporting focus and divided attention tasks through the use of emergent features. Emergent features are highly salient and are generally used to support divided attention task However, due to the salience of emergent features, a potential performance costs to focused attention tasks arises with configural displays. To address this cost, semantic mapping has been used to map salience techniques to information needed by focus attention tasks to increase their saliency (Bennett (&) Walters, 2001; Bennett et al., 2000). Semantic mapping is the process of mapping the domain constrains to the display, which in turn is mapped to the users capabilities and limitations to understand that domain data. The objective of this dissertation is to extend the use of semantic mapping to address potential performance costs of configural displays for hierarchical domains using the scenario-based training (SBT) instructor domain. Two studies were conducted to examine the effects of salience application and salience type on data extraction accuracy and response time performances at low-level, mid-level, high-level, and a remediation task. The first study examined the effects of one salience technique mapped to the display. This study employed a 2(low or mid application) X 3(baseline, color techniques, and alphanumeric techniques) mixed model design in which 63 participants completed 3 blocks of 32 trails each using displays with the salience techniques mapped to either low- or mid-level data. Results from the first study showed that salience type had a significant impact on multi-level data extraction performance, but interactions were not found. The second study changed the manipulation of application and mapped two salience techniques display at the same time, using either the same technique or a combination of different techniques. The same experimental design was utilized and 65 participants completed study 2. Results of study 2 showed that different application resulted in greater improvements of performance and specific salience combinations were found better support data extraction performance. Across study analyses were also performed and revealed that more salience is not better than less salience. Instead it is the specific mapping of salience type and application which improves performance the most. Overall, these findings have major implications for theories of semantic mapping, attention and performance, and display design of hierarchical domains.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- Identifier
- CFE0005947, ucf:50797
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005947
- Title
- Effects of Signal Probability on Multitasking-Based Distraction in Driving, Cyberattack (&) Battlefield Simulation.
- Creator
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Sawyer, Benjamin, Karwowski, Waldemar, Hancock, Peter, Xanthopoulos, Petros, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Multitasking-based failures of perception and action are the focus of much research in driving, where they are attributed to distraction. Similar failures occur in contexts where the construct of distraction is little used. Such narrow application was attributed to methodology which cannot precisely account for experimental variables in time and space, limiting distraction's conceptual portability to other contexts. An approach based upon vigilance methodology was forwarded as a solution, and...
Show moreMultitasking-based failures of perception and action are the focus of much research in driving, where they are attributed to distraction. Similar failures occur in contexts where the construct of distraction is little used. Such narrow application was attributed to methodology which cannot precisely account for experimental variables in time and space, limiting distraction's conceptual portability to other contexts. An approach based upon vigilance methodology was forwarded as a solution, and highlighted a fundamental human performance question: Would increasing the signal probability (SP) of a secondary task increase associated performance, as is seen in the prevalence effect associated with vigilance tasks? Would it reduce associated performance, as is seen in driving distraction tasks? A series of experiments weighed these competing assumptions. In the first, a psychophysical task, analysis of accuracy and response data revealed an interaction between the number of concurrent tasks and SP of presented targets. The question was further tested in the applied contexts of driving, cyberattack and battlefield target decision-making. In line with previous prevalence effect inquiry, presentation of stimuli at higher SP led to higher accuracy. In line with existing distraction work, performance of higher numbers of concurrent tasks tended to elicit slower response times. In all experiments raising either number of concurrent tasks or SP of targets resulted in greater subjective workload, as measured by the NASA TLX, even when accompanied by improved accuracy. It would seem that (")distraction(") in previous experiments has been an aggregate effect including both delayed response time and prevalence-based accuracy effects. These findings support the view that superior experimental control of SP reveals nomothetic patterns of performance that allow better understanding and wider application of the distraction construct both within and in diverse contexts beyond driving.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- Identifier
- CFE0006388, ucf:51522
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006388
- Title
- Transparency in human-agent teaming and its effect on complacent behavior.
- Creator
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Wright, Julia, Hancock, Peter, Szalma, James, Jentsch, Florian, Chen, Jessie, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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This study examined how transparency of an intelligent agent's reasoning affected complacent behavior in a route selection task in a simulated environment. Also examined was how the information available to the operator affected those results.In two experiments, participants supervised a three-vehicle convoy as it traversed a simulated environment and re-routed the convoy when needed with the assistance of an intelligent agent, RoboLeader. Participants were randomly assigned to an Agent...
Show moreThis study examined how transparency of an intelligent agent's reasoning affected complacent behavior in a route selection task in a simulated environment. Also examined was how the information available to the operator affected those results.In two experiments, participants supervised a three-vehicle convoy as it traversed a simulated environment and re-routed the convoy when needed with the assistance of an intelligent agent, RoboLeader. Participants were randomly assigned to an Agent Reasoning Transparency condition. Participants received communications from a commander confirming either the presence or absence of activity in the area. They also received information regarding potential events along their route via icons that appeared on a map displaying the convoy route and surrounding area. Participants in Experiment 1 (low information setting) received information about their current route only; they did not receive any information about the suggested alternate route. Participants in Experiment 2 (high information setting) received information about both their current route and the agent recommended an alternative route. In the first experiment, access to agent reasoning was found to be an effective deterrent to complacent behavior when the operator has limited information about their task environment. However, the addition of information that created ambiguity for the operator encouraged complacency, resulting in reduced performance and poorer trust calibration. Agent reasoning did not increase response time or workload and appeared to have improved performance on the secondary task. These findings align with studies that have shown ambiguous information can increase workload and encourage complacency, as such, caution should be exercised when considering how transparent to make agent reasoning and what information should be included.In the second experiment, access to agent reasoning was found to have little effect on complacent behavior when the operator had complete information about the task environment. However, the addition of information that created ambiguity for the operator appeared to encourage complacency, as indicated by reduced performance and shorter decision times. Agent reasoning transparency did not increase overall workload, and operators reported higher satisfaction with their performance and reduced mental demand. Access to agent reasoning did not improve operators' secondary task performance, situation awareness, or operator trust. However, when agent reasoning transparency included ambiguous information complacent behavior was again encouraged. Unlike the first experiment, there were notable differences in complacent behavior, performance, operator trust, and situation awareness due to individual difference factors. As such, these findings would suggest that when the operator has complete information regarding their task environment, access to agent reasoning may be beneficial, but not dramatically so. However, individual difference factors will greatly influence performance outcomes. The amount of information the operator has regarding the task environment has a profound effect on the proper use of the agent. Increased environmental information resulted in more rejections of the agent recommendation regardless of the transparency of agent reasoning. The addition of agent reasoning transparency appeared to be effective at keeping the operator engaged, while complacent behavior appeared to be encouraged both when agent reasoning was either not transparent or so transparent as to become ambiguous. Even so, operators reported lower trust and usability for the agent than when environmental information was limited. Situation awareness (SA2) scores were also higher in the high information environment when agent reasoning was either not transparent or so transparent as to become ambiguous, compared to the low information environment. However, when a moderate amount of agent reasoning was available to the operator, the amount of information available to the operator had no effect on the operators' complacent behavior, subjective trust, or SA. These findings indicate that some negative outcomes resulting from the incongruous transparency of agent reasoning may be mitigated by increasing the information the operator has regarding the task environment.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFE0006422, ucf:51469
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006422
- Title
- Assessing Safety Culture among Personnel in Governmental Construction Sites at Saudi Arabia: A Quantitative Study Approach.
- Creator
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Alrehaili, Omar, Karwowski, Waldemar, Elshennawy, Ahmad, Hancock, Peter, Mikusinski, Piotr, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Safety is an essential issue for organizations to survive, especially for hazardous industries such as the construction industry. The construction industry is considered to be one of the major industries that help in the growth of the economy and the infrastructure of all countries. Recently, scholars have paid increasing attention to the concept of safety culture due to its role in decreasing the occurrences of accidents and injuries. Safety culture has become the focus of all industries and...
Show moreSafety is an essential issue for organizations to survive, especially for hazardous industries such as the construction industry. The construction industry is considered to be one of the major industries that help in the growth of the economy and the infrastructure of all countries. Recently, scholars have paid increasing attention to the concept of safety culture due to its role in decreasing the occurrences of accidents and injuries. Safety culture has become the focus of all industries and has received much attention in recent years, especially within the construction industry. Absence of this culture is a major cause of injuries and accidents in the construction field. In the construction industry, personnel's perception of safety culture is vital to prevent accidents or behavior misconduct. Also, focusing on personnel's safety culture on construction sites provides an opportunity to decrease risks and unsafe behaviors to improve the overall safety level. Workers' performance and behaviors are shaped by their awareness and view of safety culture inside their work environment. Generally, safety performance in the construction field is still unsatisfactory based on reporting records.The present study observed the influence of safety culture on construction's personnel's safety performance on large governmental construction projects in Saudi Arabia. Construction personnel's safety performance is measured by their attitude toward violations and error behaviors. This research also exams the role of personnel's motivation toward construction safety as a mediating variable between construction safety culture and safety performance constructs, including error and violation behaviors. The research adopted a quantitative method by using a questionnaire for the purpose of data collection and analysis. A total of 434 questionnaires were collected from construction personnel including project managers, engineers, and supervisors through their voluntary participation in this study. Statistical analysis was used to analyze the data collected including descriptive statistics, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques. Confirmatory factor analysis is used for validating each factor with its measurable items. Finally, this study applied the concept of structural equation modeling (SEM) to evaluate the correlation between all latent variables in the study's conceptualized model.The outcomes of the study show that safety culture has a direct influence on construction personnel's attitudes toward violations and an indirect effect on construction personnel's error behavior. Furthermore, safety culture has a significant effect on improving safety motivation, as well. Safety motivation for construction safety has a direct effect on errors behaviors. Conversely, safety motivation does not have a mediating effect on construction personnel's attitudes toward violations. Therefore, safety motivation's mediating role was significant only between safety culture and errors behaviors.This research has added to the existing knowledge about the important part of safety culture as a key interpreter of safety performance in construction field. The current study contributes to psychological safety through examining the influence of safety culture as the interpreter for enhancing motivation for construction safety. Additionally, this research evaluated safety culture's influence on construction personnel's attitudes toward violations and construction personnel's error behavior. The outcomes of the study are useful and recommended to be used by construction management to better pinpoint the reasons for unsafe behaviors within the construction industry. The results of this research highlights management's role in determining, and affecting, workers' behaviors.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFE0006434, ucf:51470
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006434
- Title
- The Effects of Tactile Displays on the Perception of Target Distance.
- Creator
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White, Timothy, Hancock, Peter, Mouloua, Mustapha, Szalma, James, Rupert, Angus, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Because vital information can be missed by Soldiers in combat environments that tax the eyes and the ears, it is imperative that alternative techniques be investigated to determine their potential in relaying this information in an effective way. This research investigated the use of a tactile display for providing distance and azimuth information about enemy targets. In a series of three experiments, participants were asked to engage enemy targets while utilizing cues that provided location...
Show moreBecause vital information can be missed by Soldiers in combat environments that tax the eyes and the ears, it is imperative that alternative techniques be investigated to determine their potential in relaying this information in an effective way. This research investigated the use of a tactile display for providing distance and azimuth information about enemy targets. In a series of three experiments, participants were asked to engage enemy targets while utilizing cues that provided location information. In Experiment 1, two tactile cueing techniques (i.e., varying intensity and varying pulse rate) and three auditory cueing techniques (i.e., non-spatial speech, varying frequency of 3-D tones, and varying pulse rate of 3-D tones) were used to provide distance and azimuth information about enemy targets. Findings indicated that more participants preferred the tactile pulse cue and the non-spatial speech cue. There were no significant differences in performance among the tactile and the auditory cues, respectively. However, both the tactile cue types resulted in better performance and lower mental workload than the three auditory cue types. In Experiment 2, performance was investigated among the preferred tactile pulse cue and the non-spatial speech cue as well as a tactile direction only cue (i.e., no distance information), a visual cue, and a no cueing control. Findings indicated that both the tactile cue types resulted in better performance and lower mental workload than the other cue conditions. Experiment 3, was a multimodal investigation in which performance was investigated among combinations of the non-spatial speech, visual, and tactile pulse cues employed in Experiment 2. Findings indicated that cue combinations that included the tactile pulse cue resulted in better performance and lower mental workload than the cue combination without the tactile pulse cue. Overall, the findings support the notion of employing tactile displays as a communication means to provide azimuth and distance information to Soldiers about enemy targets, either as a unimodal cue or in concert with other cue types.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFE0006418, ucf:51450
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006418