Workload and Stress of Configural Displays in Vigilance Tasks

Abstract

The workload and stress associated with corrfigural displays in two vigilance tasks were investigated. Two kinds of configural displays were employed: A bar graph display and an object display. A non-configural bar graph display served as a control group. Relative to the non-configural display, both configural displays improved performance in a task requiring integration of information, but were not significantly different from the control group in a task requiring focused attention to display elements. The object display reduced workload in both tasks, but the bar graph configural display did not. Results showed a complex pattern of association/dissociation of workload with performance. Self reports of stress revealed that the tasks were stressful but that configural displays did not reduce the stress of either task.

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