[Effects of goal setting and real-time feedback on performance and time estimation during VDT operation]

The problem of serious occupational fatigue of software operators has come up for discussion. Along with the outcome of a survey showing that their working hours are longer than those of other types of workers, with the former reporting for duty unconsciously early in the morning, it is pointed out that their time estimation and crookedness of time cognition are reduced. As a result of the survey, it was also found that in visual display terminal task, the work is carried on while receiving real-time feedback, and those engaged in development work, set their goal to complete a specific amount of work within a specific time-limit. Thus, in order to examine the effects of these two factors on these workers' performance and their subjective time estimation, 76 subjects (undergraduate students) were asked to engage in task of six terms. The results indicated that the group with its goal set and real-time feedback given had higher performance and motivation for task, and showed more time reduction than did other groups to a significant extent. It is noteworthy that it was proved that the subjects were not conscious of this time reduction.