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- Title
- TOWARD A MODEL OF TEAM DECISION MAKING UNDER STRESS.
- Creator
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Marshall, Alyssa, Salas, Eduardo, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Today's organizations are increasingly relying on teams, rather than individuals, to complete tasks in the workplace. For some teams, these tasks require them to make high stakes decisions under stressful conditions. In military, medical, and emergency response fields, for example, workers are regularly asked to make decisions under high time pressure, uncertainty, and risk. The purpose of this study is to summarize previous team decision-making perspectives and create a model for team...
Show moreToday's organizations are increasingly relying on teams, rather than individuals, to complete tasks in the workplace. For some teams, these tasks require them to make high stakes decisions under stressful conditions. In military, medical, and emergency response fields, for example, workers are regularly asked to make decisions under high time pressure, uncertainty, and risk. The purpose of this study is to summarize previous team decision-making perspectives and create a model for team decision-making under stress. A literature review was conducted to examine the current state of team decision-making research. Several existing models of the team decision-making process were identified, representing multiple decision-making perspectives. Using this information, four primary characteristics of the team decision making process were identified. Team decision making appears to be multi-level, multi-phasic, dynamic, and cyclical process. An additional search examined the effects of stress on performance. Using this information and the characteristics outlined from the team decision making literature, a model was designed to describe the effects of stress on team decision making. This model offers several propositions regarding the effects of stress on specific cognitive and team processes and their relationship team decision making. This study provides the theoretical basis for an empirical investigation of the relationship between stress and team decision making. This line of research has the potential to lead to practical solutions that may improve outcomes for workers in high stress occupations.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- Identifier
- CFH0004629, ucf:45299
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004629
- Title
- The Effect of Race, Induced Expectancy, and Individual Presenters, on White Raters Using Graphic Rating Scales to Record Their Judgement Decisions.
- Creator
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Schultz, William H., Burrough, Wayne A., Social Sciences
- Abstract / Description
-
Florida Technological University College of Social Sciences Thesis
- Date Issued
- 1974
- Identifier
- CFR0003501, ucf:53019
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFR0003501
- Title
- THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION'S DECISION TO INVADE IRAQ: DID THEY FALL VICTIM TO GROUPTHINK?.
- Creator
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Nantais, Joel, Houghton, David, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the George W. Bush administration became victims of groupthink when they made the policy decision to invade Iraq in 2003. Groupthink is a policy-making model which was first put forward by Irving Janis which attempts to explain how experienced and elite policy-makers can make decisions which lead to disastrous outcomes due to conditions which cause defective decision-making. Research was conducted through a qualitative, within case study...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to investigate whether the George W. Bush administration became victims of groupthink when they made the policy decision to invade Iraq in 2003. Groupthink is a policy-making model which was first put forward by Irving Janis which attempts to explain how experienced and elite policy-makers can make decisions which lead to disastrous outcomes due to conditions which cause defective decision-making. Research was conducted through a qualitative, within case study which was made possible through the inherent process tracing method of the groupthink model. Mainly secondary sources which detailed the historical case of the decision to invade Iraq via journalists, outside researchers, and even the members of the administration were utilized in this investigation. The principle conclusion was that groupthink appeared to exist in the policy-making process of the Bush administration. This was reached after finding many of the antecedent conditions as well as the symptoms of groupthink in the Bush administration. Especially prominent were the occurrence of structural faults of the administration, mindguarding, self-censorship, and collective rationalizations. However, it is important to note that these results are sensitive to the discovery or release of new or contradictory evidence.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2009
- Identifier
- CFE0002870, ucf:48037
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002870
- Title
- Managerial process of discount decision-making in the lodging industry: The role of human agency.
- Creator
-
Lee, Seung Hyun, Croes, Robertico, Kwun, David, Rivera, Manuel, Sivo, Stephen, Bai, Xiucheng, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Management faces a paradox in managing discrepancies between actual demand and expected demand in daily operations, thereby requiring constant adjustments in pricing under the supervision of management in the short term. The purpose of this study is to determine how discount choices are created and to understand information processing related to the pricing and discounting decision-making process as well as narrating the events, stages, and cycles of choices made by hotel managers. This study...
Show moreManagement faces a paradox in managing discrepancies between actual demand and expected demand in daily operations, thereby requiring constant adjustments in pricing under the supervision of management in the short term. The purpose of this study is to determine how discount choices are created and to understand information processing related to the pricing and discounting decision-making process as well as narrating the events, stages, and cycles of choices made by hotel managers. This study also determines the role of human judgment based on contextual factors in the decision-making process. This mixed methods research design consists of three steps: observation, classification, and association. First, the observation stage includes the careful observation, documentation, and measurement of the phenomena within the social and institutional context through structured interviews with hotel managers. Second, abstractions are classified into categories based on the attributes of the phenomena. Information attributes are categorized into static and dynamic information, and the source of information is characterized in external and internal sources. Third, the association between the category-defining attributes and the outcome observed (discount or not) is explored using conjoint analysis. This last stage attempts to investigate not only the importance of information attributes, but also the role of social-, institution-, and human agency-related influences in managers' discounting decisions.The major findings of the study are as follows. First, habitual practices are identified to show how the classification of events, activities, and institutions are put into practice as managers have developed their own knowledge and practices over time. Such practices become routine over time when managers encounter a similar problem, disequilibrium. Conventions such as the (")less than 35 rule,(") the (")80:20 rule,(") the call around, following suit, and trial and error are manifestations of the coping strategy for the hamstrung complexity in the hospitality industry. Human agency and its perception of reality within a specific context infuse meaning into business practices. The critical role of managers is recognized in making discount decisions as they use a collection of complex patterns in the lodging industry to perceive meaningful patterns in the environment to make a final judgment.The focus on the process of discount decision making allows for detecting how environmental stimuli are watched by managers with deeply held views. Managers use certain rules and patterns to complete their information search. Hotel managers place different values on the information attributes in making a discount choice. The average importance of an attribute represents how important it is to managers when making their discount choices. The results indicate that managers consider the booking window to be the most preferred information, followed by competitors' room rates, the potential for cancelation, and occupancy rate.A discount choice is the product of human agency and social forces over time, distinct from the rational model. Different hotel operation structures and human agencies seek to make a difference in the process of discount decision making. Hotels in Road Warriors, which are smaller in size, are not located near major attractions but seem to fill the need for leisure travelers passing by the highways. Less competition exists because the regional area does not serve as a main attraction. These hotels in Road Warriors thus place great importance on the booking window and potential for cancellation when considering offering a discount. If they do not see enough reservations in the short term and foresee the potential for cancellation, hotels in Road Warriors tend to make a discount choice. These hotels do not seem to indulge in implementing other pricing strategies, but do drop the rate. Hotels in Stars in the Universe, which are larger in size and affiliated with chains/brands, are located near the main attractions (e.g., beach, downtown, or convention center). Hotels in Stars in the Universe consider the booking window to be the most critical information, followed by competitors' room rates, occupancy rate, and potential for cancellation. The extent of how much time is left before an arrival date serves as the most important piece of information in making a discount choice. These hotels emphasize knowledge of competitors' room rates as these hotels have many competitors around and consistently compete for more market shares in the area. Moreover, human agency, mostly grounded in industry tenure and age, determines how managers process discount choices. Market Movers consists of more experienced and educated, older, and predominantly male experts. These general managers, assistant general managers, or revenue managers have gained knowledge and know-how during their extended experience in the industry. Managers in Market Movers focus importance on the booking window, followed by competitors' room rates, occupancy rate, and potential for cancellation. They monitor bookings ahead of time and consider offering a discount as the arrival nears. Managers in Market Movers also show great concern for competitors' room rates. They compare their rates to competitors' in order to ensure that their own rates do not go over competitors' room rates. Managers in Entourage are considered to be younger, less experienced, and less educated. Most managers in Entourage work in marketing/sales or front desk/operations and tend to follow and attend to the industry leaders. These novices try several trials and make errors along the way, but become rising stars in the industry when their trial-and-error approach succeeds. Entourage's discount choice is influenced more by the booking window, followed by potential for cancellation, competitors' room rates, and occupancy rate. Managers in Entourage consider the booking window to be the most critical in making a discount choice, and they act quickly to offer a discount when an arrival date nears. They tend to respond to immediate changes in booking; thus, the potential for cancellation determines the discount choice among Entourage managers. The main theoretical contribution of this study is to demonstrate that managerial frameworks based on a rational premise are not complete. These frameworks should be complemented with a human judgment framework, which provides a richer account of how managers in the lodging industry approach complex price-setting situations. Managerial discounting decision making often falls short of the purely rational model for managers and is bounded by nature. Managers are not always rational in compiling and assessing information leading to discounting that is compatible with the accessibility to information and the computational capacity. The human judgment process, discovered and examined in this study, provides a richer understanding of the process of discounting in the lodging industry. This process is featured by a non-conscious processing of information; the retrieval of the information is based on associations of patterns; the context in which this processing occurs is high paced; and the outcome of the decision is imbued with judgments.In terms of managerial implications, this study enables hotel managers to learn under what conditions other managers consider making discount choices. Information attributes such as the booking window and competitors' room rates are thought to be more valuable than other information. Managers should observe booking windows carefully when making a discount choice. Managers should pay close attention to bookings more in advance so that they detect discrepancies between forecasting and reality in a timely manner. If so, managers can make operational adjustments to rate strategies by controlling not only room rates, but also length of stay (LOS) and channels. Limitations and suggestions for future research are also discussed.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- Identifier
- CFE0005196, ucf:50645
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005196
- Title
- FRIEND/FOE IDENTIFICATION ACCURACY AND SHOOTING PERFORMANCE: EFFECTS OF PRIOR TASK LOADING AND TIME PRESSURE.
- Creator
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Burke, Kelly, Hancock, Peter, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The current dismounted soldier and the soldier of the future will be loaded' with more information processing tasks while they perform shooting tasks. It is conceivable that some increased level of cognitive tasking may be performed simultaneously with required shooting tasks. The effect of cognitive load on shooting performance has been previously examined (Scribner and Harper, 2001). This study concentrated on the effect of various cognitive workload demands on a friend-foe...
Show moreThe current dismounted soldier and the soldier of the future will be loaded' with more information processing tasks while they perform shooting tasks. It is conceivable that some increased level of cognitive tasking may be performed simultaneously with required shooting tasks. The effect of cognitive load on shooting performance has been previously examined (Scribner and Harper, 2001). This study concentrated on the effect of various cognitive workload demands on a friend-foe discrimination shooting task in a single- and dual-task scenario. In light of this, it is imperative that the soldier not be overburdened mentally, which may result in decreased survivability and lethality. Specifically, this study was designed to examine the ability of the soldier to perform friend-foe target discrimination and shooting accuracy, with varying target exposure times, friendly target signatures, and varying cognitive load demands (working memory recall task). Using the Small Arms Simulator Testbed (SAST) we examined the effects of manipulations of working memory load and sustained information transfer, on shooting performance (as measured by target acquisition and friend/foe discrimination indices). Additionally, we investigated subjective measures of workload and stress. A secondary task, administered aurally, was given to subjects to attend to while they performed shooting (friend/foe discrimination task) scenarios: working memory recall task. Each type of task consisted of three levels of difficulty. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences for the memory recall task during shooting and non-shooting conditions. Furthermore, results showed that workload increased as a function of task demand, with associated decreases in shooting performance.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2007
- Identifier
- CFE0001681, ucf:47212
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001681
- Title
- A MULTI-OBJECTIVE NO-REGRET DECISION MAKING MODEL WITH BAYESIAN LEARNING FOR AUTONOMOUS UNMANNED SYSTEMS.
- Creator
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Howard, Matthew, Qu, Zhihua, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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The development of a multi-objective decision making and learning model for the use in unmanned systems is the focus of this project. Starting with traditional game theory and psychological learning theories developed in the past, a new model for machine learning is developed. This model incorporates a no-regret decision making model with a Bayesian learning process which has the ability to adapt to errors found in preconceived costs associated with each objective. This learning ability is...
Show moreThe development of a multi-objective decision making and learning model for the use in unmanned systems is the focus of this project. Starting with traditional game theory and psychological learning theories developed in the past, a new model for machine learning is developed. This model incorporates a no-regret decision making model with a Bayesian learning process which has the ability to adapt to errors found in preconceived costs associated with each objective. This learning ability is what sets this model apart from many others. By creating a model based on previously developed human learning models, hundreds of years of experience in these fields can be applied to the recently developing field of machine learning. This also allows for operators to more comfortably adapt to the machine's learning process in order to better understand how to take advantage of its features. One of the main purposes of this system is to incorporate multiple objectives into a decision making process. This feature can better allow its users to clearly define objectives and prioritize these objectives allowing the system to calculate the best approach for completing the mission. For instance, if an operator is given objectives such as obstacle avoidance, safety, and limiting resource usage, the operator would traditionally be required to decide how to meet all of these objectives. The use of a multi-objective decision making process such as the one designed in this project, allows the operator to input the objectives and their priorities and receive an output of the calculated optimal compromise.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2008
- Identifier
- CFE0002453, ucf:47711
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002453
- Title
- THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SLEEP, WORKING MEMORY, AND DECISION MAKING IN YOUNG AND OLD ADULT POPULATIONS.
- Creator
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Merz, Melissa G., Lighthall, Nichole, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Sleep is known to influence basic tasks concerning working memory, reaction time and executive functioning (Silva, Wang, Ronda, Wyatt, & Duffy, 2010; Nebes, Buysse, Halligan, Houck, & Monk, 2009). However, the amount that sleep influences these functions varies from study to study possibly due to differences in age and task design. Aim 1A of this study is to determine if sleep quality affects working memory. Aim 1B of this study is to determine if age affects sleep quality and working memory...
Show moreSleep is known to influence basic tasks concerning working memory, reaction time and executive functioning (Silva, Wang, Ronda, Wyatt, & Duffy, 2010; Nebes, Buysse, Halligan, Houck, & Monk, 2009). However, the amount that sleep influences these functions varies from study to study possibly due to differences in age and task design. Aim 1A of this study is to determine if sleep quality affects working memory. Aim 1B of this study is to determine if age affects sleep quality and working memory in comparison of young and old adult populations. Finally, Aim 2 of this study is to determine if there is a relationship between sleep quality, working memory, and decision making in the younger adults. These aims were researched using a validated and commonly used sleep questionnaire: the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). In addition, the study utilized an n-back test to measure working memory and executive functioning, and an economic decision task to measure decision making accuracy. Results show that sleep quality did not significantly influence accuracy on an n-back test in either age group, but age was significantly correlated with accuracy on an n-back test in the older adults. The study also found a relationship between working memory performance and complex decision making among younger adults, but this relationship was not modulated by sleep quality. Our findings suggest that self-reported sleep quality is not a strong predictor of working memory or complex decision making, particularly in early adulthood. Future research on this topic may benefit from a more objective measure of sleep quality and from larger samples across different phases of the lifespan.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- Identifier
- CFH2000210, ucf:46023
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000210
- Title
- THE USE OF PC BASED SIMULATION SYSTEMS IN THE TRAINING OF ARMY INFANTRY OFFICERS – AN EVALUATION OF THE RAPID DECISION TRAINER.
- Creator
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Lucario, Thomas, Proctor, Michael, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
This research considers two modes of training Army infantry officers in initial training to conduct a platoon live fire exercise. Leaders from groups that were training with the current classroom training methods were compared to leaders from groups whose training was augmented with a PC based training system known as the Rapid Decision Trainer (RDT). The RDT was developed by the US Army Research Development and Engineering Command for the purpose of aiding in the training of tactical...
Show moreThis research considers two modes of training Army infantry officers in initial training to conduct a platoon live fire exercise. Leaders from groups that were training with the current classroom training methods were compared to leaders from groups whose training was augmented with a PC based training system known as the Rapid Decision Trainer (RDT). The RDT was developed by the US Army Research Development and Engineering Command for the purpose of aiding in the training of tactical decision making and troop leading procedures of officers in the initial levels of training to become rifle platoon leaders. The RDT allows the leader in training to run through platoon level operations prior to live execution in a simulated combat environment. The focus of the system is on leadership tasks and decision making in areas such as unit movement, internal unit communication and contingency planning, and other dismounted infantry operations. Over the past year, some Infantry Officer Basic Course platoons at Ft. Benning have used the RDT in an experimental manner. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the system is beneficial in training IOBC officers. The Army Research Institute (ARI) conducted a preliminary evaluation of the RDT in March 2005 (Beal 2005). However, no quantitative measures were used in the evaluation of the RDT, only subjective evaluations of the users. Additionally, there were no formal evaluations by the training cadre, only the users themselves. This experiment continues the work of ARI and uses qualitative and quantitative data from both users and the evaluating cadre. In this experiment, the effectiveness of the RDT was evaluated through measuring leader behaviors and personal preferences. Three measurement approaches were used; (1) quantitative performance measures of leader actions, (2) qualitative situational awareness and evaluations of inclusion in the non leader players, and (3) a qualitative evaluation of the system's usability and effectiveness by system users. Analysis reveals statistically significant findings that challenge the current norms.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2006
- Identifier
- CFE0000990, ucf:46716
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000990
- Title
- PRESERVING THE RIGHT TO A FAIR TRIAL: AN EXAMINATION OF THE PREJUDICIAL VALUE OF VISUAL AND AUDITORY EVIDENCE IN THE CONTEXT OF A CRIMINAL CASE.
- Creator
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Edwards, Emily, Mottarella, Karen, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Federal Rule of Evidence 403 requires evidence's probative value to substantially outweigh its prejudicial value for the evidence to be admitted. To date, courts have opinioned that photographic evidence holds low prejudicial impact and rarely render court proceedings unfair (Futch v. Dugger, 1989). The present study sought to empirically investigate this issue. In a 2 (Auditory Present/Auditory Absent) x 3 (Graphic Photo/Neutral Photo/No Photo) factorial design, 300 participants reviewed...
Show moreFederal Rule of Evidence 403 requires evidence's probative value to substantially outweigh its prejudicial value for the evidence to be admitted. To date, courts have opinioned that photographic evidence holds low prejudicial impact and rarely render court proceedings unfair (Futch v. Dugger, 1989). The present study sought to empirically investigate this issue. In a 2 (Auditory Present/Auditory Absent) x 3 (Graphic Photo/Neutral Photo/No Photo) factorial design, 300 participants reviewed case materials from a recent murder case and provided information concerning their verdict decision. Emotional state data was also collected prior to and following review of the case materials via the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule - Expanded Form (PANAS-X; Watson & Clark, 1994). Participants reviewing graphic photos coupled with their case materials experienced significantly greater increases in both sadness and surpise than those reviewing neutral or no photos. Participants who had an auditory recording present with their case materials experienced greater increases in both joviality and, to a lesser extent, hostility. Participants reviewing the auditory recording also reported being significantly less able to formulate their verdict decisions fairly or impartially. When heightened emotion is involved in decision making, cognitive resources for well-informed decisions are limited (Greene & Haidt, 2002). The current study suggests the potential for particular modes of evidentiary presentation to manipulate jurors' emotions, therefore increasing their prejudicial value. When the probative value of evidence does not outweigh the potentially prejudicial nature of jurors' heightened emotionality, the fairness of court proceedings may be questioned and issues of the defendant's right to a fair trial raised.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- Identifier
- CFH0004152, ucf:44849
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004152
- Title
- PERCEIVED ORGANIZATIONAL FORGIVENESS AND PUNITIVE INTENT.
- Creator
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Salvador, Rommel, Folger, Robert, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Although management scholars have examined various antecedents of punishment in the workplace, there has been scant research on how perceptions of the organizational context influence decision-making regarding punishment. Building on the work of Cameron and colleagues (Cameron, Bright, & Caza, 2004; Cameron & Caza, 2002), I propose that one's perceived organizational forgiveness – the perception of the extent to which the workplace is forgiving – is negatively related with one&...
Show moreAlthough management scholars have examined various antecedents of punishment in the workplace, there has been scant research on how perceptions of the organizational context influence decision-making regarding punishment. Building on the work of Cameron and colleagues (Cameron, Bright, & Caza, 2004; Cameron & Caza, 2002), I propose that one's perceived organizational forgiveness – the perception of the extent to which the workplace is forgiving – is negatively related with one's punitive intent in response to ethical misconduct. In addition, I identify variables involving the disciplinary agent and the ethical misconduct itself as moderators of this relationship. In a lab study and a field study, I tested the main effect of perceived organizational forgiveness and the moderating effects of these other variables on punitive intent. Data from the lab study provided evidence of the hypothesized main effect and suggested that the effect holds when the disciplinary agent is high in accountability and when the misconduct has resulted in serious damage to the organization. Data from the field study suggested that the negative relationship between perceived organizational forgiveness and punitive intent seemed to hold only when an experience of being forgiven is salient in the mind of the disciplinary agent and there are mitigating circumstances surrounding the ethical misconduct that is the subject of punishment. Surprisingly, the field study results suggested a positive relationship between perceived organizational forgiveness and punitive intent when an experience of being denied forgiveness is salient to the disciplinary agent. The limitations of these studies and potential implications of the findings are then discussed.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2008
- Identifier
- CFE0002246, ucf:47867
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002246
- Title
- The Perceptual and Decisional Basis of Emotion Identification in Creative Writing.
- Creator
-
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
- Subjective measures of implicit categorization learning.
- Creator
-
Hill, Audrey, Bohil, Corey, Neider, Mark, Szalma, James, Rapport, Mark, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The neuropsychological theory known as COVIS (COmpetition between Verbal and Implicit Systems) postulates that distinct brain systems compete during category learning. The explicit system involves conscious hypothesis testing about verbalizable rules, while the implicit system relies on procedural learning of rules that are difficult to verbalize. Specifically from a behavioral approach, COVIS has been supported through demonstrating empirical dissociations between explicit and implicit...
Show moreThe neuropsychological theory known as COVIS (COmpetition between Verbal and Implicit Systems) postulates that distinct brain systems compete during category learning. The explicit system involves conscious hypothesis testing about verbalizable rules, while the implicit system relies on procedural learning of rules that are difficult to verbalize. Specifically from a behavioral approach, COVIS has been supported through demonstrating empirical dissociations between explicit and implicit learning tasks. The current studies were designed to gain deeper understanding of implicit category learning through the implementation of a subjective measure of awareness, Meta d', which until now has not been validated within a COVIS framework. Meta d' is a measure of metacognitive accuracy. This is the ability to assess the accuracy of one's own performance. These three experiments evaluated the use of Meta d' as a valid predictor of task performance within a two-structure perceptual categorization task. Experiment 1 focuses on using Meta d' to parse out dissociations between awareness and performance through the phenomenon of Blind Sight and Blind Insight. Experiment 2 and 3 utilize a motor response mapping disruption to observe predicted decrements to the implicit learning system. Experiment 3 utilizes functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) to measure hemodynamic changes in the Prefrontal Cortex as a function of category structure. Across the 3 experiments, Meta d' in conjunction with decision bound model fits were used to make accurate predictions about the differences in performance throughout implicit and explicit categorization tasks. These collective results indicate that metacognitive accuracy, an implicit structure, was highly sensitive to a whether a person is using the correct rule strategies through the task.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFE0007753, ucf:52376
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007753
- Title
- A Framework for Process Data Collection, Analysis, and Visualization in Construction Projects.
- Creator
-
Akhavian, Reza, Behzadan, Amir, Oloufa, Amr, Tatari, Mehmet, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Automated data collection, simulation and visualization can substantially enhance the process of designing, analysis, planning, and control of many engineering processes. In particular, managing processes that are dynamic in nature can significantly benefit from such techniques. Construction projects are good examples of such processes where a variety of equipment and resources constantly interact inside an evolving environment. Management of such settings requires a platform capable of...
Show moreAutomated data collection, simulation and visualization can substantially enhance the process of designing, analysis, planning, and control of many engineering processes. In particular, managing processes that are dynamic in nature can significantly benefit from such techniques. Construction projects are good examples of such processes where a variety of equipment and resources constantly interact inside an evolving environment. Management of such settings requires a platform capable of providing decision-makers with updated information about the status of project entities and assisting site personnel making critical decisions under uncertainty. To this end, the current practice of using historical data or expert judgments as static inputs to create empirical formulations, bar chart schedules, and simulation networks to study project activities, resource operations, and the environment under which a project is taking place does not seem to offer reliable results.The presented research investigates the requirements and applicability of a data-driven modeling framework capable of collecting and analyzing real time field data from construction equipment. In the developed data collection scheme, a stream of real time data is continuously transferred to a data analysis module to calculate the input parameters required to create dynamic 3D visualizations of ongoing engineering activities, and update the contents of a discrete event simulation (DES) model representing the real engineering process. The generated data-driven simulation model is an effective tool for projecting future progress based on existing performance. Ultimately, the developed framework can be used by project decision-makers for short-term project planning and control since the resulting simulation and visualization are completely based on the latest status of project entities.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- Identifier
- CFE0004347, ucf:49419
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004347
- Title
- Cognitive Flexibility: Using Mental Simulation to Improve Script Adaptation.
- Creator
-
Rivera, Javier, Jentsch, Florian, Shumaker, Randall, Lackey, Stephanie, Sims, Valerie, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Human behavior and decision-making depend largely on past experiences that generate specific action patterns (i.e., scripts, Gioia (&) Manz, 1985) for specific situations. In an ideal world, in which changes in the environment do not conflict with these action patterns, humans would be able to operate consistently, efficiently, and automatically. However, real-world environments are dynamic and fluid, thus altering behavior and forcing changes in scripts. Research suggests that to implement...
Show moreHuman behavior and decision-making depend largely on past experiences that generate specific action patterns (i.e., scripts, Gioia (&) Manz, 1985) for specific situations. In an ideal world, in which changes in the environment do not conflict with these action patterns, humans would be able to operate consistently, efficiently, and automatically. However, real-world environments are dynamic and fluid, thus altering behavior and forcing changes in scripts. Research suggests that to implement alternate solutions to changing situations, humans select from a (")library(") of learned scripts. Since humans tend to implement scripts to the degree that these are successful over a period of time, implementing alternate scripts can be difficult. That is, unless one has the cognitive flexibility to adapt scripts, implementing a new solution to a problem can be difficult and/or unsuccessful. Cognitive flexibility allows one to restructure knowledge to form an adaptive response to changes set forth by the environment. At issue is the difference between possessing a repertoire of scripts that can be selected and implemented to solve a problem, and having the cognitive flexibility to effectively switch between scripts when a change in context occurs. The purpose of this dissertation is to: (a) evaluate the effectiveness of possessing alternate scripts to respond to situations, and (b) assess the effectiveness of cognitive flexibility training on the ability to switch between scripts. The ultimate goal is to improve mental flexibility in situations where a specific approach should be revised and adjusted to conform to changes in context. A total of 48 participants were randomly assigned to one of four conditions in a 2 (number of scripts) x 2 (training present or absent) design: (a) single script, (b) single script and cognitive flexibility training, (c) two scripts, and (d) two scripts and cognitive flexibility training. Participants either learned one script or two scripts on how to respond to a car engine overheat. In addition, depending on the study condition, participants completed a cognitive flexibility training that used a mental simulation approach. The cognitive flexibility training was intended to allow participants to imagine a number of different scenarios that may impact that task, evaluate assumptions, check assumptions against the situation, imagine a response to such scenarios, and review the effectiveness of the developed solutions. The results of this research suggested that for situations requiring a change or an adaptation to an alternate script, possessing two scripts facilitated correct decision-making, whereas cognitive flexibility training may have hindered decision-making. In addition, for situations requiring a standard script, possessing two scripts was detrimental to decision-making performance, regardless of cognitive flexibility training. Theoretical implications in terms of script-processing and cognitive flexibility, as well as practical implications for training design are provided.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFE0006381, ucf:51528
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006381
- Title
- A Dynamic Enrollment Simulation Model for Planning and Decision-Making in a University.
- Creator
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Robledo, Luis, Sepulveda, Jose, Kincaid, John, Armacost, Robert, Archer, Sandra, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Decision support systems for university management have had limited improvement in the incorporation of new cutting-edge techniques. Most decision-makers use traditional forecasting methods to base their decisions in order to maintain financially affordable programs and keep universities competitive for the last few decades. Strategic planning for universities has always been related to enrollment revenues, and operational expenses. Enrollment models in use today are able to represent...
Show moreDecision support systems for university management have had limited improvement in the incorporation of new cutting-edge techniques. Most decision-makers use traditional forecasting methods to base their decisions in order to maintain financially affordable programs and keep universities competitive for the last few decades. Strategic planning for universities has always been related to enrollment revenues, and operational expenses. Enrollment models in use today are able to represent forecasting based on historical data, considering usual variables like student headcount, student credit, among others. No consideration is given to students' preferences. Retention models, associated to enrollment, deal with average retention times leaving off preferences as well.Preferences play a major role at institutions where students are not required to declare their intentions (major) immediately. Even if they do, they may change it if they find another, more attractive major, or they may even decide to leave college for external reasons.Enrollment models have been identified to deal with three main purposes: prediction of income from tuition (in-state, out-of-state), planning of future courses and curriculum, and allocation of resources to academic departments, This general perspective does not provide useful information to faculty and Departments for detailed planning and allocation of resources for the next term or year. There is a need of new metrics to help faculty and Departments to reach a detailed and useful level in order to effectively plan this allocation of resources. The dynamics in the rate-of-growth, the preferences students have for certain majors at a specific point of time, or economic hardship make a difference when decisions have to be made for budgets requests, hiring of faculty, classroom assignment, parking, transportation, or even building new facilities. Existing models do not make difference between these variables.This simulation model is a hybrid model that considers the use of System Dynamics, Discrete-event and Agent-based simulation, which allows the representation of the general enrollment process at the University level (strategic decisions), and enrollment, retention and major selection at the College (tactical decisions) and Department level (operational decisions). This approach allows lower level to more accurately predict the number of students retained for next term or year, while allowing upper levels to decide on new students to admit (first time in college and transfers) and results in recommendations on faculty hiring, class or labs assignment, and resource allocation.This model merges both high and low levels of student's enrollment models into one application, allowing not only representation of the current overall enrollment, but also prediction at the College and Department level. This provides information on optimal classroom assignments, faculty and student resource allocation.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFE0005055, ucf:49970
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005055
- Title
- Training for Decision Making in Complex Environments: Instructional Methods and Individual Differences.
- Creator
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Ray, Jessica, Mouloua, Mustapha, Sims, Valerie, Hancock, Peter, Spain, Randall, Durlach, Paula, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Increased technology reliance along with today's global fast paced society has produced increasingly complex, dynamic operating environments in disciplines as diverse as the military, healthcare, and transportation. These complex human machine systems often place additional cognitive and metacognitive demands on the operator. Thus, there is a crucial need to develop training tools for all levels of operators in these dynamic systems. The current study was designed to empirically test the...
Show moreIncreased technology reliance along with today's global fast paced society has produced increasingly complex, dynamic operating environments in disciplines as diverse as the military, healthcare, and transportation. These complex human machine systems often place additional cognitive and metacognitive demands on the operator. Thus, there is a crucial need to develop training tools for all levels of operators in these dynamic systems. The current study was designed to empirically test the effects of four training methods on performance and mental model accuracy in a microworld simulation game. It was hypothesized that process-focused guidance targeting metacognitive level processes as well as combined process and problem focused guidance would result in better performance and mental model accuracy than problem- focused guidance alone or unguided training approaches. Additionally, it was expected that individual differences in prior decision making ability, metacognitive awareness, working memory span, and fluid intelligence would moderate the relationship between the type of instructional guidance and outcomes. Results supported the development of decision-making skills through process-focused instructional guidance, particularly for initially low performing or more novice individuals. Results highlight the importance of individual learner experience prior to training. Similarly, this research aims to expand the literature by providing support for process-focused training as a method to support non-expert decision making skills. While further research needs are outlined, the current research represents an important step forward in both the theoretical literature providing support for instruction designed to support domain general decision making skills in non-experts. Practical implications regarding improved guidance for future instructional and training systems design, personnel selection, operator and system performance evaluation, and safety are also discussed.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFE0004738, ucf:49836
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004738
- Title
- Developing a Group Decision Support System (GDSS) for decision making under uncertainty.
- Creator
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Mokhtari, Soroush, Abdel-Aty, Mohamed, Madani Larijani, Kaveh, Wang, Dingbao, Xanthopoulos, Petros, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) problems are often associated with tradeoffs between performances of the available alternative solutions under decision making criteria. These problems become more complex when performances are associated with uncertainty. This study proposes a stochastic MCDM procedure that can handle uncertainty in MCDM problems. The proposed method coverts a stochastic MCDM problem into many deterministic ones through a Monte-Carlo (MC) selection. Each deterministic...
Show moreMulti-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) problems are often associated with tradeoffs between performances of the available alternative solutions under decision making criteria. These problems become more complex when performances are associated with uncertainty. This study proposes a stochastic MCDM procedure that can handle uncertainty in MCDM problems. The proposed method coverts a stochastic MCDM problem into many deterministic ones through a Monte-Carlo (MC) selection. Each deterministic problem is then solved using a range of MCDM methods and the ranking order of the alternatives is established for each deterministic MCDM. The final ranking of the alternatives can be determined based on winning probabilities and ranking distribution of the alternatives. Ranking probability distributions can help the decision-maker understand the risk associated with the overall ranking of the options. Therefore, the final selection of the best alternative can be affected by the risk tolerance of the decision-makers. A Group Decision Support System (GDSS) is developed here with a user-friendly interface to facilitate the application of the proposed MC-MCDM approach in real-world multi-participant decision making for an average user. The GDSS uses a range of decision making methods to increase the robustness of the decision analysis outputs and to help understand the sensitivity of the results to level of cooperation among the decision-makers. The decision analysis methods included in the GDSS are: 1) conventional MCDM methods (Maximin, Lexicographic, TOPSIS, SAW and Dominance), appropriate when there is a high cooperation level among the decision-makers; 2) social choice rules or voting methods (Condorcet Choice, Borda scoring, Plurality, Anti-Plurality, Median Voting, Hare System of voting, Majoritarian Compromise ,and Condorcet Practical), appropriate for cases with medium cooperation level among the decision-makers; and 3) Fallback Bargaining methods (Unanimity, Q-Approval and Fallback Bargaining with Impasse), appropriate for cases with non-cooperative decision-makers. To underline the utility of the proposed method and the developed GDSS in providing valuable insights into real-world hydro-environmental group decision making, the GDSS is applied to a benchmark example, namely the California's Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta decision making problem. The implications of GDSS' outputs (winning probabilities and ranking distributions) are discussed. Findings are compared with those of previous studies, which used other methods to solve this problem, to highlight the sensitivity of the results to the choice of decision analysis methods and/or different cooperation levels among the decision-makers.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFE0004723, ucf:49821
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004723
- Title
- THE ROLE OF DOMAIN EXPERTISE AND JUDGMENT IN DEALING WITH UNEXPECTED EVENTS.
- Creator
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Kochan, Janeen, Jentsch, Florian, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Unexpected events, particularly those creating surprise, interrupt ongoing mental and behavioral processes, creating an increased potential for unwanted outcomes to the situation. Human reactions to unexpected events vary. One can hypothesize a number of reasons for this variation, including level of domain expertise, previous experience with similar events, emotional connotation, and the contextual surround of the event. Whereas interrupting ongoing activities and focusing attention...
Show moreUnexpected events, particularly those creating surprise, interrupt ongoing mental and behavioral processes, creating an increased potential for unwanted outcomes to the situation. Human reactions to unexpected events vary. One can hypothesize a number of reasons for this variation, including level of domain expertise, previous experience with similar events, emotional connotation, and the contextual surround of the event. Whereas interrupting ongoing activities and focusing attention temporarily on a surprising event may be a useful evolutionary response to a threatening situation, the same process may be maladaptive in today's highly dynamic world. The purpose of this study was to investigate how different aspects of expertise affected one's ability to detect and react to an unexpected event. It was hypothesized that there were two general types of expertise, domain expertise and judgment (Hammond, 2000), which influenced one's performance on dealing with an unexpected event. The goal of the research was to parse out the relative contribution of domain expertise, so the role of judgment could be revealed. The research questions for this study were: (a) Can we identify specific knowledges and skills which enhance one's ability to deal with unexpected events? (b) Are these skills "automatically" included in domain expertise? (c) How does domain expertise improve or deter one's reaction and response to unexpected events? (d) What role does judgment play in responding to surprise? The general hypothesis was that good judgment would influence the process of surprise at different stages and in different ways than would domain expertise. The conclusions from this research indicated that good judgment had a significant positive effect in helping pilots deal with unexpected events. This was most pronounced when domain expertise was low.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2005
- Identifier
- CFE0000721, ucf:46609
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000721
- Title
- THE PSYCHOLOGICAL BASIS OF THREAT PERCEPTION AND ITS EFFECT ON THE USE OF FORCE BY US PRESIDENTS.
- Creator
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Kazazis, Collin J., Schafer, Mark, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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This thesis creates a new variable for threat perception built upon psychological concepts and then applies this new variable to the question of why leaders use military force in certain situations. The concept of threat perception has a long history in the field in terms of its effect on leaders choosing to use military force. However, while the concept of threat perception is inherently psychological, previous proxies for the variable have included only situational factors, which is highly...
Show moreThis thesis creates a new variable for threat perception built upon psychological concepts and then applies this new variable to the question of why leaders use military force in certain situations. The concept of threat perception has a long history in the field in terms of its effect on leaders choosing to use military force. However, while the concept of threat perception is inherently psychological, previous proxies for the variable have included only situational factors, which is highly problematic. By utilizing the Operational Code, this study creates a new threat-perception variable based on cognitive constructs. Using a sample of US presidents, this new variable is tested in two different ways. The first examines three psychological characteristics (need for power, in-group bias, and distrust) from Leadership Trait Analysis that are thought to influence the level of threat perception in a leader. The second examines threat perception as an explanatory variable for the use of force alongside three other important control variables (economic violence, presidential popularity, and US power). The use of force variable is derived from Meernik's Use of Force dataset with each case in the dataset representing an opportunity to use force. The psychological data are derived from the verbal material of US presidents using at-a-distance methods found in the literature. OLS regression and probit are used to model the research questions. The project finds that levels of threat perception are indeed affected by a leader's level of distrust, in-group bias, and need for power. In addition, the new psychologically-derived threat-perception variable is a very good predictor of a president's use of force: presidents with higher levels of threat perception have a much higher probability of using force when the situation presents an opportunity.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFH2000559, ucf:45649
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000559
- Title
- NURSING INTERVENTIONS THAT FACILITATE END-OF-LIFE DECISION-MAKING IN PEDIATRIC ONCOLOGY.
- Creator
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Baeringer, Lauren, Wink, Diane, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Nearly one-third of all pediatric oncology patients die from their disease, so nurses need to have an evidence-based standard of practice to guide their role in end-of-life decision-making. The purpose of this integrative review is to analyze current research on end-of-life decision-making within pediatric oncology to create a practice guideline for nurses working with this patient population. Eleven studies were examined to identify nursing interventions regarding the role of the nurse in...
Show moreNearly one-third of all pediatric oncology patients die from their disease, so nurses need to have an evidence-based standard of practice to guide their role in end-of-life decision-making. The purpose of this integrative review is to analyze current research on end-of-life decision-making within pediatric oncology to create a practice guideline for nurses working with this patient population. Eleven studies were examined to identify nursing interventions regarding the role of the nurse in end-of-life care, the role of the nurse in end-of-life decision-making, parent involvement in end-of-life decision-making, and child involvement in end-of-life decision-making, including the child's ability to participate in end-of-life decision-making. Based on the findings, the researcher identified several interventions that can be used by nurses to facilitate end-of-life discussion and decision-making that includes both parent and, when appropriate, the child.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFH0004443, ucf:45081
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004443
