Age differences in perceived workload across a short vigil.

Full Abstract

The main objective of this research was to investigate age differences in the perceived workload associated with the performance of a demanding, high event rate, vigilance task. Younger participants (n=26) aged 16 to 35 years (M=27.8) and older participants (n=24) aged 45 to 65 years (M=52.2) completed perceived workload scales (NASA-TLX) following a brief practice session (pretest) on the vigilance task, and then again following a test session (posttest) lasting nine minutes. In relation to the vigilance task, a statistically significant performance decrement was identified, but there was no evidence that performance differed according to age in respect to that decrement. However, a dissociation was found in relation to the perceived workload ratings:
while no age differences were found in vigilance performance, the workload ratings revealed older participants to perceive a significantly greater increase in workload from pretest to posttest. These findings are considered theoretically in relation to the demands placed upon attentional resources, and their implications for both laboratory-based vigilance research, and workplace systems monitoring situations, are discussed.

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Author information

Author/s: Bunce, David (D); Sisa, Laura (L);

Affiliation: Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths College, University of London, UK. d.bunce(-atsign-)gold.ac.uk

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Comparative Study; Journal Article

Journal: Ergonomics (Ergonomics), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2002-Oct; vol 45 (issue 13) : pp 949-60

Dates: Created 2003/01/09; Completed 2003/02/06; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 12519526, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adolescent
Adult
Age Factors
Aged
Attention
Female
Great Britain

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