The Effects of Task Type and Source Complexity on Vigilance Performance, Workload, and Stress

The present study investigated the effects of task type (cognitive vs. sensory) and source complexity (number of displays to be monitored) of the performance, workload, and stress associated with vigilance. Results affirmed the utility of the cognitive-sensory task distinction of the vigilance taxonomy, although in contrast to previous research the cognitive task was associated with lower performance and higher levels of perceived workload and stress. The results also indicated that both task type and source complexity exhibited the typical performance-workload associations previously reported in research on sustained attention.