An empirical evaluation of the SYNWORK1 multiple-task work environment

Abstract

SYNWORK1 is a multiple-task work environment that allows up to four tasks (memory search, arithmetic, visual monitoring, and auditory monitoring) to be performed concurrently. Experiments were conducted to evaluate performance and subjective workload for each individual task and all combinations of tasks at two presentation rates. At the slower default rates, the three experiment-paced tasks were not very demanding, and improvements with practice were due primarily to the subject-paced arithmetic task. Doubling the presentation rates made the demands of all tasks more comparable and decreased the influence of arithmetic performance. SYNWORK1 is useful for comparisons between populations of individuals and evaluations of arousal-related variables, and, with modification, could provide a tool for assessing basic issues in multiple-task performance. Copyright 1998 Psychonomic Society, Inc.