The effects of an imposed performance strategy upon subjective mental workload.

[摘要] Increasingly complex technology in modern times has changed the natureof many work activities. Mechanisation and automation have served toemphasise the importance of mental workload to productivity, physicaI andmental health. The study uses a simulated routine office stocktaking taskto compare subjective experiences of mental workload between traditionalpen and paper methods and the more recently developed computer techniques.An analysis is also made of assessments of difficulty by subjects freeto adopt a working method of their choice (ie. in a flexible environment)and subjects whohave no freedom of working method (ie. a rigid externallyimposed working strategy). Also included is an analysis of the cognitivestrategies adopted during task performance and across the differentt.reatmerrt conditions. Research findings are of particular relevance tothe design of jobs in the modern office environment where human-computerinteraction is becoming increasingly prevalent, the effective design ofman-machine systems, and to the general field of workload research.

[发布机构] University of the Witwatersrand