Transfer of Training from One Monitoring Task to Another

Abstract

Two experiments were performed to determine whether groups trained on a visual meter-watching task with knowledge of results (K-R) would detect more signals than a control group trained without KR in a later session in which a different watchkeeping task was used. The transfer tasks in the two experiments consisted of detecting a brief interruption of (1) a continuously illuminated light, and (2) a pure tone mixed with continuous white noise. The group trained with KB did significantly better (p<0·05) when transferred to the other visual task. Results on the transfer to auditory task were not significant at the 0·05 level, but the combined results of the two experiments were significant at the 0'025 level. No difference was found in commissive errors (false reports) in either experiment.