Performance and arousal as a function of incentive, information load, and task novelty.

Abstract

ABSTRACTPulse and respiration rate, pulse volume, skin conductance level, and muscle tension were recorded from 12 S8 while they carried out a 40‐min test of choice serial reaction in which incentive level, task difficulty (number of choices), and task novelty (or practice) were varied. 1) Little unanimity was observed among the physiological measures in responding to these task variables. Incentive was reflected in pulse rate, respiration rate, and skin conductance level; task difficulty in pulse volume; and novelty in respiration rate and muscle tension. 2) Only when the effects of information load and practice could be held constant was there any sign of an inverted‐U relationship between performance and physiological level. 3) Although both choice and incentive had significant effects on performance, the two did not interact.