The Effects of Goal Setting and Augmented Feedback on Sustained Attention and Psychomotor Vigilance Task Performance
Loading...
Date
2023
Authors
McNair, Parker
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
The present study aimed to examine the effect to which augmented feedback affects task performance, task engagement, and effort mobilization as seen through pupil dilation. Participants (N = 127) from the University of Oregon completed a Psychomotor Vigilance Test (PVT) designed to test an individual’s ability to sustain attention. After a row of 0s appeared on-screen, participants were instructed to press the spacebar as quickly as possible once they noticed the numbers begin to count upwards (stimulus). Participants were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: Control, Goal, and Goal + Augmented Feedback. The two Goal conditions had the same target of 0.325 s, however, the Augmented Feedback condition received messages on-screen after each trial based on whether their performance achieved the goal or not. During this 30-minute PVT, we measured participants’ pupil dilations in response to the stimulus. Our results suggest that the addition of augmented feedback does not translate into higher performance (faster RTs), increased effort mobilization (larger pupil dilations), or minimize off-task thoughts. However, participants who were assigned a goal (Goal & Goal + Augmented Feedback) had significantly quicker RTs as well as larger pupillary responses to the stimulus.
Description
35 pages
Keywords
Sustained attention, Feedback, Goal setting