The moderation effects of task attributes and mental fatigue on post-interruption task performance in a concurrent...

Area of Science:

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Cognitive Psychology
• Performance Science

Background:

• Concurrent multitasking environments increase task complexity and susceptibility to mental fatigue.
• Emerging technologies introduce more frequent task interruptions.
• Understanding the interplay of task attributes, fatigue, and interruptions is crucial for optimizing performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of task complexity and mental fatigue on performance during interrupted multitasking.
• To analyze how interruptions affect task resumption and overall performance under varying fatigue levels and task demands.

Main Methods:

• Thirty-four participants engaged in the Multitask Assessment Battery II (MATB-II).
• Eight experimental conditions manipulated task interruption, task complexity, and fatigue levels.
• Performance metrics included task completion time, workload, and resumption lag after interruptions.

Main Results:

• Significant interaction effects were found between interruption and task complexity, and between interruption and fatigue.
• Complex primary tasks required longer recovery times after interruptions, with variations across subtask types.
• Mental fatigue detrimentally affected primary task performance, perceived workload, and the delay in resuming tasks post-interruption.

Conclusions:

• Task complexity and mental fatigue exacerbate the negative effects of interruptions on multitasking performance.
• Resuming complex tasks after interruptions is hindered by the need for greater information retrieval, a process further impaired by fatigue.
• Fatigue negatively impacts cognitive resources essential for efficient task switching and performance recovery.