Function Of Information Load Research Articles

Effects of information load on response times in frogs and bats: mate choice vs. prey choice

Decisions tend to become more challenging as the number of available options increases and choice sets become more complex. Choosing between multiple options may require additional information processing time and effort. Here, we asked if response time increases with stimulus number and attractiveness by female frogs (Physalaemus pustulosus) and their predators, frog-eating bats (Trachops cirrhosus), when comparing the mating calls of male tungara frogs. We found that frogs’ response time is significantly longer when presented with two calls, compared with one. Bats also take longer to respond when presented with two calls but only when they were complex calls. Although the frogs and bats behave somewhat similarly in this experiment, the decisions that these animals are making are occurring in different domains (mating vs. foraging) and have different fitness consequences. Given these differences, we find it especially interesting that for both frogs and bats, we see similar temporal patterns in response times as a function of information load. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Animals are often faced with several options simultaneously. One cost of decision-making is the time involved in choosing the best option within a choice set. Here, we asked whether female frogs and frog-eating bats take longer to respond when presented multiple frog mating calls simultaneously. We also asked whether the attractiveness of those frog calls influences the time it takes frogs and bats to respond to them. We found that the time to respond was influenced by both the number and attractiveness of frog calls for both bats and frogs; however, frog response time seemed to be more greatly influenced by the number of frog calls, while bat response time seemed to be more influenced by the attractiveness of frog calls. In general, our results suggest that there may be similar mechanisms involved in decision-making for both animals.

Contrasting neural effects of aging on proactive and reactive response inhibition

Two distinct forms of response inhibition may underlie observed deficits in response inhibition in aging. We assessed whether age-related neurocognitive impairments in response inhibition reflect deficient reactive inhibition (outright stopping) or also deficient proactive inhibition (anticipatory response slowing), which might be particularly evident with high information load. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging in young (n = 25, age range 18–32) and older adults (n = 23, 61–74) with a stop-signal task. Relative to young adults, older adults exhibited impaired reactive inhibition (i.e., longer stop-signal reaction time) and increased blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) signal for successful versus unsuccessful inhibition in the left frontal cortex and cerebellum. Furthermore, older adults also exhibited impaired proactive slowing, but only as a function of information load. This load-dependent behavioral deficit was accompanied by a failure to increase blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) signal under high information load in lateral frontal cortex, presupplementary motor area and striatum. Our findings suggest that inhibitory deficits in older adults are caused both by reduced stopping abilities and by diminished preparation capacity during information overload.

Decision complexity and consensus in Web-based spatial decision making: A case study of site selection problem using GIS and multicriteria analysis

Building consensus over the set of alternative solutions in a spatial decision making process promotes the sustainability, stability and longevity of spatial decisions. Web-based GIS–MCDA (Multicriteria Decision Analysis) facilitates consensus-building in the process of spatial decision making. The level of consensus among decision makers in the Web-based GIS–MCDA can be influenced by various decision situations, including decision complexity. Decision complexity (or information load) is decision situation that may affect individual decisions, and may in turn moderate the level of consensus. This study addresses this potential effect of information load on the consensus level in a collaborative GIS–MCDA context. It examines the changes in the proximity (similarity) of individual decision makers’ solutions to a group solution as a function of information load. The effect of information load on the level of consensus is empirically tested using a parking site selection problem in Tehran, Iran in a Web-based GIS–MCDA context. The study finds that an increased information load has a significant effect on the proximity of individual solutions to a group solution, but not essentially lead to a lower level of proximity in all of the levels of information load. This study broadens our understanding of how consensus levels vary depending on information load. For example, the finding that increased information load in a group GIS–MCDA does not necessarily lead to a lower level of proximity indicates that the amount of information available for decision making may not essentially be a critical factor in achieving consensus.

Information complexity-mental workload and performance in combat aircraft

The purpose of the present study was to analyse the effects of information complexity on Pilot Mental WorkLoad (PMWL) and Pilot Performance (PP), and to analyse the structure of PMWL. Eighteen pilots performed 72 simulated low level-high speed emissions. The complexity of the Head Down Display (HDD) information varied as a function of the tactical situation. Flight data were recorded continuously. The pilots' eye movements were video taped and psychophysiological activation data, Heart Rate (HR), were obtained. The pilots rated PMWL according to the psychological content of three scales (Bedford Rating Scale, Subjective Workload Assessment Technique, NASA-Task Load indeX) and answered a questionnaire tapping aspects of performance, information load, motivation and mood. It was found that even a moderate complexity of information interfered with the flight task. Altitude and variation in altitude were increased and corrections of altitude errors were delayed, when complexity increased. Changes in information load reached its maximum influence on flight performance (r = 0.60, p < 0.001) after a time delay of 20 to 40 seconds. Performance of the flight task correlated positively (r = 0.59, p < 0.001) with the performance of the information handling task (Tactical Situation Awareness, TSA). Durations and frequencies of eye fixations Head Up (HU) versus Head Down (HD) changed as a function of information load. A structural equation model implied that PMWL was affected by mission complexity and that PMWL affected objective and subjective aspects of flight performance and information handling. Heart rate (sortie means) correlated positively with PMWL (r = 0.34, p< 0.05) and perceived complexity of mission (r = 0.37, p < 0.01). Heart rate (running means) covaried with variations in information complexity for those pilots who performed well. From spectral analyses of cardiac interval. times it was found that the amplitude of the 0.10 Hz component tended to decrease during high as compared to low levels of information load.

Active fault protection in computer systems where job processing time is comparable with interarrival time

Principles of active fault protection in computer systems are presented. The probability of successful adaptation of the system to faulty modules is estimated as a function of information load, time reserve, number of modules, and regularity of the distribution of the relevant random variables in the system.

Parameter Stability and "Carry-Over Effects" in a Consumer Decision-Process Model

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Analysis of Effects of Information Load

There is little doubt that the issue of consumer information provision will be one of the major problems confronting marketing researchers and policymakers in this decade. A recent JMR article, Brand Choice Behavior as a Function of Information Load, by Jacoby, Speller and Kohn [6] clearly introduces several basic questions inherent in a consumer behavior research approach to consumer information provision. The commentary presented here on their article is prompted by my belief that the topic is significant, complex, and emotional; critical, cumulative research perspectives are required. My purpose is two-fold: (1) to highlight and reinforce certain aspects of their research design which might serve as protocol for future studies and (2) to question the article's major conclusion in light of the analytical approach used and results obtained.

Brand Choice Behavior as a Function of Information Load: Replication and Extension

The hypothesis that finite limits exist to the amount of information consumers can effectively use was tested by operationalizing information load in terms of number of brands and amount of information per brand provided. The results of an experiment involving 192 housewives tend to confirm this hypothesis.

Brand Choice Behavior as a Function of Information Load

Brand Choice Behavior as a Function of Information Load

Brand Choice Behavior as a Function of Information Load

A currently popular position among consumer advocates and many public policy makers is that more product information is better. A 3 (number of brands) × 3 (number of items of information per brand) factorial experiment which tested this contention revealed that, while consumers do feel more satisfied and less confused, they actually make poorer purchase decisions with more information.

Identification of visual patterns as a function of information load.

Identification of visual patterns as a function of information load.