Experiments on the Validity of Vigilance Experiments

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to test the hypothesis that the performance decrement in vigilance experiments is dependent on the subject’s perception and realization of the experimental situation. Subjects took part in the experiments either under normal experimental conditions or believing that they were taking part in a selection test for a well-paid student job. The vigilance task for both groups of subjects was identical. The results showed that whereas under normal experimental conditions the decrement occurred, this did not happen when subjects perceived the experiment as a selection test. The results are discussed with reference to the relevance and applicability of laboratory vigilance research to the problems of monitoring and inspection behavior in field situations.