Computer-simulated Task Research Articles

Understanding the psychophysiology of flow: A driving simulator experiment to investigate the relationship between flow and heart rate variability

We present the results of an experimental investigation on the relationship between heart rate variability (HRV) and flow in adults exposed to computer-simulated tasks with different demand level manipulations: a balanced skill-demand level (fit) to induce flow, too high demands to induce anxiety, and too low demands to induce boredom. Eighteen participants were exposed to three simulated driving tasks that differed in their demand levels. During all tasks, the participants’ heart rates were monitored and flow was measured after each task by means of a questionnaire. Our results show that high-frequency HRV (HF-HRV) and low-frequency HRV (LF-HRV) differed between the three experimental conditions and an increase in demand level caused a decrease in HF-HRV and LF-HRV. Furthermore, experiencing flow in a balanced skill-demand task was associated with a decreased LFHRV activity compared to being engaged in a task with too high demands (anxiety condition), in which higher levels of flow were related to moderate parasympathetic activity (HF-HRV) as well as to moderate baroreflex function (LF-HRV). Our results contribute to a better understanding of the psychophysiology of flow and further demonstrate how virtual environments such a driving simulator can be effectively used to investigate psychological constructs such as flow or anxiety.

The processing of object identity information by women and men.

The study examined whether women excel at tasks which require processing the identity of objects information as has been suggested in the context of the well-known object location memory task. In a computer-simulated task, university students were shown simulated indoor and outdoor house scenes. After studying a scene the students were presented with two images. One was the original image and the other a modified version in which one object was either rotated by ninety degrees or substituted with a similar looking object. The participants were asked to indicate the original image. The main finding was that no sex effect was obtained in this task. The female and male students did not differ on a verbal ability test, and their 2D:4D ratios were found to be comparable.

Communicating production outcomes as gains or losses, operator skill and their effects on safety-related violations in a simulated production context

In this study, violation-producing conditions from an organizational and individual point of view are investigated. In concrete terms, framing effects of production outcome displays in relation to production goals, the risk of a technical accident, as well as person-related variables and their impact on violations are investigated based on the theoretical assumptions of prospect theory and risk-taking. It is assumed that violations are more likely when performance is below the aspiration level associated with an anticipated loss. A 2 × 3 factorial experimental design (n = 118) was selected in accordance with the ‘Asian Disease’ decision scenario in the form of a computer-simulated task environment Simulation Waste Water Treatment. Participants acted out the role of a production supervisor running a plant. Experimental conditions were (1) the framing of individual performance outcomes in relation to the production goals in terms of losses or gains, and (2) the risk (20, 35, and 5%) with which an accident (a deflagration) might occur through using a corner-cutting procedure. A significant main effect of the framing conditions and no effect of risk conditions or interaction effect emerged. An additional path analysis shows the influence of risky decision-making and acquired skills in terms of knowledge of the safety-related procedure on a violation. In summary, violations are strongly affected by (a) framing effects of production outcomes when the performance is below the aspiration level and (b) person-related variables, in particular risky decision-making and skill. Results strongly emphasize that we found violation-producing conditions over and above what has so far been proposed and give rise to our claim that communicating production outcomes as gains and the increase of skill increases the likelihood of compliance with safety-related procedures.

Intelligence assessment with computer simulations

It has been suggested that computer simulations may be used for intelligence assessment. This study investigates what relationships exist between intelligence and computer-simulated tasks that mimic real-world problem-solving behavior, and discusses design requirements that simulations have to meet in order to be suitable for intelligence assessment. One hundred one participants took a test of inductive reasoning (BIS-K) and used the simulation MultiFlux [Kröner, S. (2001). Intelligenzdiagnostik per Computersimulation [Intelligence Assessment via computer simulation]. Münster: Waxmann.] designed to reduce the uncontrolled influence of prior knowledge, provide an evaluation-free exploration phase, and incorporate measures that are based on a theoretical model of simulation performance. Reliabilities of MultiFlux simulation performance scores were above .90, and the correlation of MultiFlux scores with BIS-K intelligence was, with r = .65 (adjusted r = .75), comparable to typical correlations among traditional intelligence tests. SEM analyses favored our theoretical performance model with three latent MultiFlux variables over a model with a single factor.

Test-retest reliability of computerized, everyday memory measures and traditional memory tests

Abstract Test-retest reliabilities and practice effect magnitudes are considered for nine computer-simulated tasks of everyday cognition and five traditional neuropsychological tests. Most measures showed significant practice effects upon reevaluation. Test-retest reliabilities of the computerized recall measures were equal to or superior to the traditional memory tests, but traditional measures of attention and concentration had superior reliabilities to the everyday tests. Test-retest reliabilities of everyday recognition memory tests were disappointing. Advantages of computerization of psychometric assessment and the need for multiple test forms are discussed.

Sex Differences in Risk Taking: Repeated Sessions on a Computer-Simulated Task

ABSTRACT Two experiments were conducted to investigate sex differences in risktaking behavior on a computer-generated and controlled task. Male and female subjects faced a video display of simulated mine fields with varying numbers and patterns of dots representing mines in the fields. In Experiment 1, they estimated the probability that a tank might successfully cross 100 mine fields when starting from an unknown point below each field. This was followed by the risk-taking task in which they decided whether to send a tank across each of the fields. The participants were tested on the risk-taking task once in Experiment 1 and over four separate sessions in Experiment 2. Scores, based on decision outcomes, and decision latencies were recorded. No significant sex differences were found in the participants' ability to estimate probabilities or in their total scores for decisions made on the risk-taking task. In low probability-of-success situations, women initially took greater risks than men but took longer...