Effect of Increasing Signal Load on Detection Performance in a Vigilance Task

Abstract

Four independent groups of 20 Ss each monitored under four conditions of signal load, 1 light, 4 lights, 16 lights, and 1 light in a 16-light matrix. Significant differences in signal detection performance were found between the single-load conditions and multiple-load conditions, but not between multiple-load conditions. A significant performance decrement, however, was noted in all conditions.