Variables Influencing Operator Information Processing

Using two criteria, time required to react to the stimulus and performance on a simple tracking task, subjects were exposed to various levels of rate of information presentation, the number of channels through which it was presented, and the physical location and arrangement of the information media.

Performance as measured by both criteria dropped as the rate and number of channels increased. Performance was generally better on more compact media arrangements and those channels more centrally located. There were some differences between criteria in these areas, however.