Central Processing Load, Response Demands and Tracking Strategies

Abstract

The present experiment investigates the processing demands associated with two tracking strategies: double-impulse and continuous. Twelve subjects performed a Sternberg memory search task concurrently with a compensatory tracking task using either strategy. Central processing demands of both tasks were manipulated as well as the response demands of the Sternberg task. The two tasks showed little resource competition for central processing resources. Response load resulted in resource competition, but did not show any strategy differences. Results are discussed with regard to the importance of understanding strategy differences for workload analysis.