Relating Subjective Workload and Effort to Performance During Stable and Shifting Task Demands: A Multilevel Approach

Abstract

Interrelations between subsystems in control theories of self-regulation are frequently studied at the between- person level, despite being within-person phenomena. The current study models within-person variations of comparator, effector, and output subsystems through relationships in subjective workload, subjective effort, and objective performance on a complex decision-making task during stable and shifting task demands. Effects are examined at both immediate and downstream time points. Results provided mixed support for the proposed subsystem interrelationships, fully supporting the model during stable task demands, partially supporting it following an increase in task demands, but not supporting the model following a decrease in task demands. Results indicate dynamic within-person relationships between self-regulatory subsystem indicators and task performance, underscoring the importance of using longitudinal, multilevel approaches for disaggregating within-person and between-person components.