Department
Psychology
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Abstract
This study was designed to investigate the effects of a flashing light upon simple tasks such as digit span, reaction time, and pursuit rotor, and a complex task, which combined the three simply ones. The tasks were selected as being representative of skills involved in operation of an airplane; the flashing light simulating such things as sunlight flashing through a propeller, the red rotating beacons used at night, etc. The data for each task was subjected to a 2x2 factorial analysis for repeated measures, with complexity (simple and combined tasks) and lights (steady and flashing) as main effects. The analysis of the digit span performance yielded no significant F’s. Pursuit rotor performance was significantly poorer with the flashing light than with steady light. Reaction time was significantly greater for the complex than for the simple task. It was concluded that cognitive processes as measured by the digit span are not significantly affected by complexity or extraneous interference from the flashing light. Simple reaction tasks are affected by the complexity of the task, but interfering stimuli do not seem to decrease performance. The pursuit rotor performance is adversely affected by extraneous stimuli, but the complexity of the task doesn’t appear to decrease performance.
Keywords
Aviation mechanics (Science), Signal lights, Traffic signs & signals, Psychology, Reaction time, Recall, Laboratories
Advisor
R. Dale Dick
Date of Award
Spring 1965
Document Type
Thesis - campus only access
Recommended Citation
Ailslieger, Ross Edward, "The Influence of an Intermittent Visual Stimulus Upon Perceptual- Motor Skills in Aviation" (1965). Master's Theses. 889.
DOI: 10.58809/WUZR7476
Available at:
https://scholars.fhsu.edu/theses/889
Rights
© The Author(s)
Comments
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