Event Title
The Benefits of Interruptions
Presentation Type
Poster/Portfolio
Presenter Major(s)
Communications - Theatre, Psychology, English
Mentor Information
Benjamin Swets, swetsb@gvsu.edu
Department
Psychology
Location
Kirkhof Center KC 74
Start Date
13-4-2011 12:00 PM
End Date
13-4-2011 1:00 PM
Keywords
Social Science
Abstract
How do individuals deal with interruptions during tasks with heavy cognitive load? Although interruptions are generally regarded as disruptive, it is possible that in some highly complex task circumstances interruptions serve an adaptive function to supplement limited memory stores. To investigate this, we used a simulation game in which participants played detectives investigating a series of complex crime scenes. We manipulated the presence of interruptions to examine circumstances under which interruptions can be beneficial or harmful to task performance. The interruptions were irrelevant to the current case, but vital to the adequate completion of suspended cases. Initial findings show that although interruptions may disrupt local performance on the task being interrupted, global performance, measured by total evidence collected, is aided by interruptions. The results have implications for basic research on prospective memory as well as applied issues of team functioning.
The Benefits of Interruptions
Kirkhof Center KC 74
How do individuals deal with interruptions during tasks with heavy cognitive load? Although interruptions are generally regarded as disruptive, it is possible that in some highly complex task circumstances interruptions serve an adaptive function to supplement limited memory stores. To investigate this, we used a simulation game in which participants played detectives investigating a series of complex crime scenes. We manipulated the presence of interruptions to examine circumstances under which interruptions can be beneficial or harmful to task performance. The interruptions were irrelevant to the current case, but vital to the adequate completion of suspended cases. Initial findings show that although interruptions may disrupt local performance on the task being interrupted, global performance, measured by total evidence collected, is aided by interruptions. The results have implications for basic research on prospective memory as well as applied issues of team functioning.