Multitasking as a predictor of simulated unmanned aircraft mission performance: Incremental validity beyond cognitive ability

Abstract

ABSTRACT Simulations are increasingly popular in employee selection and training. While face valid and engaging, the attributes being assessed are often poorly understood. This study evaluated the extent to which a multitasking assessment based on concurrent memorization, math, visual monitoring, and listening tasks predicted simulated unmanned aircraft vehicle (UAV) mission performance in a military trainee sample (N = 368). Performance was based on accuracy of mission planning, information recall during “Lost Link” conditions, and success in rescuing stranded allies while monitoring the aircraft’s resources. Although scores on the multitasking assessment were only weakly related to performance of pre-flight mission planning tasks completed under static conditions, multitasking was strongly related to overall simulated UAV mission performance, including execution of tasks requiring attending to multiple, dynamic sources of information and shifting attention among concurrent processes and demands. Further, multi-tasking demonstrated substantial incremental validity beyond the traditional measures of cognitive ability that have been used for decades within the US military. Implications, limitations, and recommendations for selection and classification and future research are discussed.