14. The Information Processing Systems

Question 1

The Information Processing Systems

If a ball is thrown to an observer, what is detected by the senses to attract attention to it

Answer 1

STIMULI

INFORMATION PROCESSING

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Question 2

The Information Processing Systems

Depending on the level fo attention generated by stimuli, it can be acted upon in what 3 ways;

[ ] Consciously
[ ] Sub-consciously
[ ] Ignored
[ ] Incoherently
[ ] Directly
[ ] In-directly

Answer 2

[X] Consciously
[ ] Sub-consciously
[X] Ignored
[ ] Incoherently
[X] Directly
[ ] In-directly

• an action taken directly causes a motor programme to be executed

INFORMATION PROCESSING

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Question 3

The Information Processing Systems

Reactions to stimuli can be handled simultaneously
TRUE or FALSE

Answer 3

TRUE

• WHile reactions to many stimuli can be handled simultaneously, a significant bottle neck occurs when conscious decisions have to be made before an action is taken

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Question 4

The Information Processing Systems

An individuals performance at a task is directly related to their level of what

Answer 4

AROUSAL

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Question 5

The Information Processing Systems

1. Complex tasks are better performed when the arousal state is HIGHER or LOWER
2. Less complex tasks are better performed when the arousal state is HIGHER or LOWER
3. Best performance is achieved with what level of arousal

Answer 5

1. LOW
2. HIGH
3. OPTIMUM

• Whilst this might seem to conflict with what we expect, being over aroused can degrade energy and ability to concentrate, and the decline of perofrmance is very rapid when the threshold is exceeded
• An optimum level of arousal is required for best performance
• Over arousal and under arousal will degrade performance

AROUSAL GRAPH

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Question 6

The Information Processing Systems

What does the body use to adapt itself to a task and provide the correct level of arousal. i.e. Adrenaline is an example

Answer 6

HORMONES

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Question 7

The Information Processing Systems

1. The level of arousal in the cruise will be HIGHER or LOWER
2. The level of arousal during landing will be HIGHER or LOWER

Answer 7

1. LOWER
2. HIGHER

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Question 8

The Information Processing Systems

An emergency situation or someone who is suffering from sleep deprivation may have less than adequate performance. What is said to be adversely affecting the pilots state of arousal

Answer 8

EXTERNAL FACTOR

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Question 9

The Information Processing Systems

1. Over-arousal is known as HYPERVIGILANCE or HYPOVIGILANCE
2. Under-arousal is known as HYPERVIGILANCE or HYPOVIGILANCE

Answer 9

1. HYPERVIGILANCE
2. HYPOVIGILANCE

• Remember
• Hyper coaster goes high
• Hippos (hypo) are low under water.
• Hyper is high, hypo is low, in this case over being high, under being low

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Question 10

The Information Processing Systems

The causes of hyperviligance are;

[ ] Excessive caffine consumption
[ ] High workload
[ ] Environmental stressors (heat and noise)
[ ] Emergencies
[ ] Sleep deprivation
[ ] Over worked

Answer 10

[ ] Excessive caffine consumption
[X] High workload
[X] Environmental stressors (heat and noise)
[X] Emergencies
[ ] Sleep deprivation
[ ] Over worked

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Question 11

The Information Processing Systems

The causes of hypovigillance are;

[ ] Excessive caffine consumption
[ ] High workload
[ ] Environmental stressors (heat and noise)
[ ] Emergencies
[ ] Sleep deprivation
[ ] Over worked

Answer 11

[ ] Excessive caffine consumption
[ ] High workload
[ ] Environmental stressors (heat and noise)
[ ] Emergencies
[X] Sleep deprivation
[X] Over worked

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Question 12

The Information Processing Systems

The effects of over-arousal are;

[ ] Inability to prioritise between tasks
[ ] Loss of speed and accuracy
[ ] Reduced ability to perform calculations
[ ] Disproportionate narrowing of attention
[ ] Reduced levels of performance on routine tasks
[ ] Narrowing of visual field
[ ] Complete tasks faster but less accurately
[ ] Behavioural changes
[ ] Reduction in mental resources
[ ] Reliance on automatic patterns of behaviour

Answer 12

[ ] Inability to prioritise between tasks
[ ] Loss of speed and accuracy
[X] Reduced ability to perform calculations
[X] Disproportionate narrowing of attention
[ ] Reduced levels of performance on routine tasks
[X] Narrowing of visual field
[X] Complete tasks faster but less accurately
[ ] Behavioural changes
[X] Reduction in mental resources
[X] Reliance on automatic patterns of behaviour

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Question 13

The Information Processing Systems

The effects of under-arousal are;

[ ] Inability to prioritise between tasks
[ ] Loss of speed and accuracy
[ ] Reduced ability to perform calculations
[ ] Disproportionate narrowing of attention
[ ] Reduced levels of performance on routine tasks
[ ] Narrowing of visual field
[ ] Complete tasks faster but less accurately
[ ] Behavioural changes
[ ] Reduction in mental resources
[ ] Reliance on automatic patterns of behaviour

Answer 13

The effects of over-arousal are;

[X] Inability to prioritise between tasks
[X] Loss of speed and accuracy
[ ] Reduced ability to perform calculations
[ ] Disproportionate narrowing of attention
[X] Reduced levels of performance on routine tasks
[ ] Narrowing of visual field
[ ] Complete tasks faster but less accurately
[X] Behavioural changes
[ ] Reduction in mental resources
[ ] Reliance on automatic patterns of behaviour

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Question 14

The Information Processing Systems

A pilot who is tired and suffering from hypovigilance will have a temporary INCREASE or REDUCTION in ability in a noisy cockpit

Answer 14

INCREASE

• A tired pilot will work better in a noisy environment for a short time
• This counters the effects of the tiredness causing hypovigiliance for a short period

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Question 15

The Information Processing Systems

In some multi-crew operations there may be opportunities for crew members to take short sleeps or naps to help counter the risk of hypovigilance.

1. Naps should not exceed ____
2. Recovery from a nap to full wakefulness takes approximately ____

Answer 15

1. 30-45 MIN
2. 5 MIN

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Question 16

The Information Processing Systems

AUDITORY or VISUAL stimuli attract attention the fastest

Answer 16

AUDITORY

• Auditory stimuli like a fire bell are more likely to attract attention than visual stimuli
• Audio cockpit warnings are more effective during low worklaod periods i.e. in the cruis

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Question 17

The Information Processing Systems

The ability to pick up relevant information unintentionally such as hearing your name in the background and then being able to replay part of the conversation is known as what

Answer 17

COCKTAIL PARTY EFFECT

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Question 18

The Information Processing Systems

The brain can deal with ONE or MULTIPLE decisions at a time

Answer 18

ONE

• The brain is able to process information and make one decision at a time, known as the central decision maker
• Other actions may be carried out subconsciously which creates the illusion the brain can deal with many different actions simultaneously

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Question 19

The Information Processing Systems

A risk associated with over arousal that involves the narrowing of our field of attention that ultimately degrades overall performance due to the exclusion of other stimuli

Answer 19

SELECTIVE ATTENTION

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Question 20

The Information Processing Systems

The ability to subconsciously monitor more than one peripheral channel of information is known as what

Answer 20

DIVIDED ATTENTION

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Question 21

The Information Processing Systems

Modern models of human information processing emphasise the fact there is only one what, with other actions being carried out subconsciously

Answer 21

CENTRAL DECISION MAKER

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Question 22

The Information Processing Systems

To reduce the amount of attention required for secondary tasks, what tool can be implemented that can reduce the active thought required for secondary tasks

Answer 22

STANDARDISATION

Standardised R/T communications / Standardised operating Procedures