Experimental validation of a performance curve using a Tetris game.

Area of Science:

• Cognitive psychology
• Human factors engineering
• Experimental psychology

Background:

• Cognitive performance models predict breakdown due to limited resources at high task loads.
• Experimental validation is limited, especially concerning effort and stressors.
• A Tetris game was used to experimentally measure cognitive performance as a function of task load.

Purpose of the Study:

• To experimentally measure a cognitive performance curve across increasing task load levels.
• To investigate if an external stressor shifts the performance curve to lower task load levels.
• To validate theoretical models of cognitive performance under varying task demands.

Main Methods:

• Twenty-one participants played Tetris at various task loads around their individual break-off level.
• A heat load stressor was applied on one test day, contrasted with room temperature on another.
• Task load and temperature conditions were counterbalanced across participants.

Main Results:

• A sigmoid model effectively described the performance decline at high task loads.
• The heat load stressor did not significantly alter the parameters of the performance curve.
• Individual performance curves showed a decline consistent with the right side of an inverted U-curve.

Conclusions:

• Experimental evidence supports a performance curve related to increasing task load.
• A heat stressor did not shift the performance curve, likely due to insufficient core body temperature increase.
• Tetris is a viable tool for studying cognitive performance and mental effort relationships.