Team Performance as a Function of Task Difficulty in a Computer Game

Abstract

Specialized military field training can be expensive, time-consuming and dangerous. Computer games provide a safe, cost effective, and controlled method for geographically dispersed military units to develop decision-making skills while rehearsing a specific task. Military units can rehearse building clearing, search and rescue, or navigation using computer games. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between task difficulty and team task performance during a team search task using a modified version of a popular video game. Results showed that task difficulty decreased the speed with which the task was completed. The present research demonstrates successful manipulation of task difficulty in a virtual environment. There were performance differences based on the sex composition of the teams. Same sex teams performed better than opposite sex teams. This research suggests researchers and trainers can modify game characteristics, such as task difficulty, to design and implement training programs within the military.

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