Luigi F. Lucaccini

Vigilance Research: Its Application To Industrial Problems1:

Review of the vigilance literature of the past two decades reveals that the results of most studies have questionable application to industrial inspection tasks for which they were, in part, designed to investigate. It is concluded that: (1) little or no evidence exists indicating that the oft-found decrement in the laboratory has a parallel in the industrial (or military) setting; (2) motivational variables may comprise the key to explaining the decrement and general law level of performance; (3) the decrement may be an artifact arising from a general failure of subjects to follow experimental instructions; and (4) many characteristics of inspection tasks bear little resemblance to those of vigilance tasks. These conclusions are supported by a body of evidence which can no longer be ignored by the serious investigator seeking to understand vigilance behavior and expecting to generalize his results. Redirection of vigilance research and greater experimental control are emphasized.

A Computer-Based Learning System for Remote Manipulator Control

A concept of adaptive aiding for performance improvement in remote handling is described. The concept incorporates an autonomous control subsystem (ACS) that is able to supplement the operators control function. The behavior of the ACS is established through a process of learning by observing the operators control function in relation to the environment and manipulator output. The computer-based system establishes a decision-making policy which is based on conditional probability. Initially, the output device is totally controlled by the operator, while the computer system acts as a passive observer. As the operation continues, the computer system gradually assumes the role of active controller, reducing the operators function to that of an action initiator and inhibitor. A pilot experiment indicates the feasibility of the concept; with a relatively short training period, the ACS was able to assume the bulk of the decision-making load and guide a three-dimensional manipulator satisfactorily through a series of manipulative tasks.

Motivational factors in vigilance: effects of instructions on performance in a complex vigilance task.

Pre-task instructions have been a neglected source of motivation in vigilance. In the present study, 32 Ss monitored a complex visual vigilance display for 40 min. with a signal rate of 60/hr. 16 Ss were told that such tasks are usually challenging (positive set) and 16 were told such tasks are usually monotonous (negative set). Performance was significantly better throughout the session by Ss with the positive set and decrements did not occur with either group. The results indicate the importance of motivational factors in vigilance. Implications for vigilance research are discussed.

Adaptive Computer Training System (ACTS) for Fault Diagnosis in Maintenance Tasks

This paper describes the Adaptive Computer Training System (ACTS) which focuses on improving and sharpening higher-order cognitive skills in electronics troubleshooting. The application of decision models to training is reviewed prior to presentation of the features of the ACTS.

Evaluation of Dental Hand Instruments

A newly-developed, multiple-function dental syringe, designed to improve the efficiency of the dental team in performing restorative operations, was evaluated in mechanical tests, mock clinical trials, and field tests with live patients. Field tests indicated the new device to be superior to the conventional equipment configuration of separate instruments generally used by dental assistants in terms of the number of hand movements required, total cutting time, and operator preference. Suggestions for redesign are presented together with a revised evaluation procedure for future studies.

The Role of Human Factors in Dental Education

Current projections of the growth in demand for dental treatment services in the United States indicate that the increase in demand anticipated by the end of the coming decade will far outstrip the expected growth in the number of practicing dental professionals. A significant increase in the productivity of the average practitioner is necessary if the anticipated demand for services is to be met. More efficient means of delivering high quality dental service must be developed and reflected in the training of dental and dental auxiliary students. Current research and development activities in dental education toward this goal are described. Some areas of dental education particularly amenable to human factors technology are considered. Suggestions are offered for means whereby the human factors community can become more closely acquainted with the goals of dental education programs and contribute effectively to the attainment of these goals.