The Role of Choice and Individual Differences in the Mitigation of Noise and Task Stressors on Vigilance

Abstract

The present study investigated the effects of perceived control over aspects of a task (difficulty) on stress and workload in a vigilance task. Additionally, individual differences in dispositional factors and coping strategy chosen by the operator were considered. Prior research has indicated that pessimism has an effect on the level of experienced stress. Additionally, coping strategies have been linked to stress and workload ratings in a variety of tasks (Matthews & Campbell, 1998). While these factors have been investigated independently, as is frequently the case, their complex interaction has remained unaddressed. In the study, we found that optimism was negatively related to task engagement, though it was positively related to distress. Additionally, it was found to be a predictor of task-focused coping behaviors. More conscientious people were less likely to engage in task-focused or emotion-focused coping. Those who were less pessimistic tended to have heightened worry over the task.