Training for Vigilance: Repeated Sessions with Knowledge of Results

Abstract

Two groups of subjects were run in a visual monitoring test, one with knowledge of results (KR) providing instant feedback of correct responses, commissive errors, and missed signals, and the other with no knowledge of results (NKR). The groups were run for five 48-minute sessions on consecutive days, with a follow-up transfer session five weeks later. Results showed significant differences in detection rates between the groups on all five training sessions, but not on the transfer session. Detection rates increased significantly during the five training sessions for both groups, and at approximately the same rate. Commissive errors were significantly different only in the first two training sessions, with the KR subjects showing more false alarms. Commissive errors did not increase or decrease over time within sessions, or over the five training sessions.