A Test of Intra-versus Inter-Modality Interference as a Function of Time Pressure in a Warfighting Simulation

Abstract

Useful task managers that can effectively monitor, prioritize, and distribute tasks to our warfighters are being sought. A critical need for the creation of task managers is an understanding of the conditions that lead to successful multi-tasking. The present study is an initial empirical step at increasing this understanding within the environment of a Command and Control (C2) Dynamic Targeting Cell (DTC). We examined operator performance and workload for participants deploying assets to attack enemy targets and their ability to concurrently monitor auditory or visual communications in three conditions of time-pressure (low, medium, and high). Results showed a significant impact in high time-pressure conditions, especially when operators had to process multiple sources of information from the same modality. These findings are a critical step as to understanding multi-tasking performance in C2 environments in general and with regard to communication and spatial monitoring tasks in particular.