Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Structuring effect of tools conceptualized through Initial Goal Fixedness for work activity

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Cognition, Technology & Work Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Analysis of work activities in nuclear industry has highlighted a new psycho-cognitive phenomenon: the structuring effect of tools (SET) sometimes leading to unexpected operating deviations; the subject is unable to perform a task concerning object A using or adapting a tool designed and presented to perform the same task concerning object B when object A is expected by the subject. Conditions to isolate and identify the SET were determined and reproduced in experiments for further analysis. Students and seven professional categories of adults (N = 77) were involved in three experimental conditions (control group, group with prior warning, group with final control) while individually performing a task with similar characteristics compared to real operating conditions and under moderate time-pressure. The results were: (1) highest performance with prior warning and (2) demonstration that academic and professional training favor the SET. After discussing different cognitive processes potentially related to the SET, we described (3) the psycho-cognitive process underlying the SET: Initial Goal Fixedness (IGF), a combination of the anchoring of the initial goal of the activity with a focus on the features of the initial goal favored by an Einstellung effect. This suggested coping with the negative effect of the SET by impeding the IGF rather than trying to increase the subjects’ awareness at the expense of their health. Extensions to other high-risk industries were discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • ACAS (2011) Health, work and wellbeing. Report of the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service, Ref: B11, London (UK). Retrieved 01 June 2015 from http://www.acas.org.uk/media/pdf/d/a/Acas_Health_Work_Wellbeing_(August_2011).pdf

  • Adamo M, Pun C, Pratt J, Ferber S (2008) Your divided attention, please! The maintenance of multiple attentional control sets over distinct regions in space. Cognition 107(1):295–303

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • AIAE (2002) Maintenance, surveillance and in-service inspection in nuclear power plants. AAE safety standard series n° NS-G-2.6. International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna

    Google Scholar 

  • Astle DE, Scerif G (2009) Using developmental cognitive neuroscience to study behavioral and attentional control. Dev Psychobiol 51(2):107–118

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arnon R, Kreitler S (1984) Effects of meaning training on overcoming functional fixedness. Curr Psychol 3(4):11–24

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bar-Anan Y (2011) Strategic modification of the evaluative priming effect does not reduce its sensitivity to uncontrolled evaluations. J Exp Soc Psychol 46:1101–1104

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Béguin P, Clot Y (2004) Situated action in the development of activity, electronic review. Activités 1(2):50–63. Retrieved 01 June 2015 from www.activites.org

  • Bernstein JG, Boyden ES (2012) Optogenetic tools for analyzing the neural circuits of behavior. Trends Cogn Sci 15(12):592–600

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bilalić M, McLeod P, Gobet F (2008a) Why good thoughts block better ones: the mechanism of the pernicious Einstellung (set) effect. Cognition 108(3):652–661

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bilalić M, McLeod P, Gobet F (2008b) Inflexibility of experts—reality or myth? Quantifying the Einstellung effect in chess masters. Cogn Psychol 56(2):73–102

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bishop FL, Jacobson EE, Shawc JR, Kaptchuk TJ (2012) Scientific tools, fake treatments, or triggers for psychological healing: how clinical trial participants conceptualise placebos. Soc Sci Med 74:767–774

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brekke KA, Moxnesb E (2003) Do numerical simulation and optimization results improve management? Experimental evidence. J Econ Behav Organ 50:117–131

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bruno S, Munoz G (2010) Education and interactivism: levels of interaction influencing learning processes. New Ideas Psychol 28(3):365–379

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buessard MJ, Fauquet Ph (2002) Impact de la prescription sur les activités de travail en centrale nucléaire. In: Proceeding of the 37th SELF Congress, Aix-en-Provence, France, pp 326–335

  • Caldwell BS (2008) Knowledge sharing and expertise coordination of event response in organizations. Appl Ergon 39(4):427–438

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Castiello U, Umilta C (1990) Size of the attentional focus and efficiency of processing. Acta Psychol 73(3):195–209

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen Z (2012) Object-based attention: a tutorial review. Atten Percept Psychophys 74:784–802

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chiappe D, Conger M, Liao J, Caldwell JL, Vu KPL (2013) Improving multi-tasking ability through action videogames. Appl Ergon 44:278–284

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Darley JM, Batson CD (1973) “From Jerusalem to Jericho”: a study of situational and dispositional variables in helping behavior. J Pers Soc Psychol 27:100–108

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dinet J, Chevalier A, Tricot A (2012) Information search activity: an overview. Revue Européenne de Psychologie Appliqué—Eur Rev Appl Psychol 62:49–62

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Duncan J (1984) Selective attention and the organization of visual information. J Exp Psychol Gen 113(4):501–517

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Duncker K, Lees LS (1945) On problem-solving. Psychol Monogr 58(5):i–113

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dunn J (1972) A safety analysis technique derived from skills analysis. Appl Ergon 3(1):30–36

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Eriksen C, St James J (1986) Visual attention within and around the field of focal attention: a zoom lens model. Percept Psychophys 40(4):225–240

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fauquet Ph (2004) Importance of decentralized organization for safety sharing. In: Proceedings of the 11th international symposium loss prevention and safety promotion in process industries, Praha, CZ, pp 1378–1380

  • Fauquet Ph (2005) Applied crossed confrontation for context evolution. In: Proceedings of Context-05, Paris, France, pp 36–41

  • Fauquet Ph (2006) Pilotage et Coopération en salle de commande—observations and analyse. EDF report reference D.5170/DIR/NED/06.002

  • Fauquet Ph (2007) Développement des pratiques de fiabilisation sur simulateur de pilotage de réacteur nucléaire. Colloque de l’Ass. Int. des Sociologues de Langue Française: Risques industriels majeurs. Toulouse, France, pp 129–135

  • Fauquet, Ph. (2008). Analyzing training activity on simulators: the complementarity of clinical approach and regulations approach. Proc. of the Symp. Activity (2008) Activity analyses for developing work. Helsinki, Finland 32

    Google Scholar 

  • Fauquet-Alekhine Ph (2012a) Safety and reliability for nuclear production. Socio Organ Factors Safe Nucl Oper 1:25–30

    Google Scholar 

  • Fauquet-Alekhine Ph (2012b) Industrial safety and experience feedback: the case of French nuclear power plants. Socio Organ Factors Safe Nucl Oper 1:19–24

    Google Scholar 

  • Fauquet-Alekhine Ph (2012c) Training activity simulations: the complementarities of clinical approach and regulation approach. Socio Organ Factors Safe Nucl Oper 1:75–78

    Google Scholar 

  • Fauquet-Alekhine Ph (2015) Assessment of ICT contribution to the learning process. Int J Sci Eng Investig 4(40):1–10

    Google Scholar 

  • Fauquet-Alekhine Ph, Boucherand A (2012) The structuring effects of tools in risky industrial work activity: failures and solutions. Socio Organ Factors Safe Nucl Oper 1:63–67

    Google Scholar 

  • Fauquet-Alekhine Ph, Labrucherie M (2012) Simulation training debriefing as a work activity analysis tool: the case of nuclear reactor pilots and civil aircraft pilots. Socio Organ Factors Safe Nucl Oper 1:79–83

    Google Scholar 

  • Fauquet-Alekhine Ph (2010) Retraining for manager in the frame of HP program: the case of Chinon NPP. Presented at IXe human performance WANO meeting, 21–26 Nov 2010—Oldburry, UK

  • Fauquet-Alekhine Ph (2011) Analyse évènementielle niveau 2—Contrôles. EDF study report ref: Etudes\ESS controle technique/an ESS2010 cont tech ind 02

  • Fauquet-Alekhine Ph, Boucherand A (2011) Analyse SOH—Etude des causes profondes Chinon 2010–2011. EDF study report ref: D5170DIRNED11006

  • Fauquet-Alekhine Ph, Boucherand A, Lahondere Y (2012) Anticipating and reducing risks on nuclear industrial plants. Socio Organ Factors Safe Nucl Oper 1:53–57

    Google Scholar 

  • Fauquet-Alekhine Ph, Geeraerts Th, Rouillac L (2014) Characterization of anesthetists’ behavior during simulation training: performance versus stress achieving medical tasks with or without physical effort. Psychol Soc Behav Res 2(2):20–28

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • French JRP, Caplan RD (1973) Organizational stress and individual strain. In: Marrow AJ (ed) The failure of success. Amacon, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Goode N, Salmon PM, Lenné MG (2013) Simulation-based driver and vehicle crew training: applications, efficacy and future directions. Appl Ergon 44(3):435–444

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hasu M, Engestrom Y (2000) Measurement in action: an activity-theoretical perspective on producer–user interaction. Int J Human Comput Stud 53:61–89

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • INPO (2015) Guidelines for the conduct of maintenance at nuclear power stations. Report INPO 05-004, Institute of Nuclear Power Operations, Atlanta

  • Kahn RL, Wolfe DM, Quinn RP, Snoek JD, Rosenthal RA (1964) Organisational stress: studies in role conflict and ambiguity. Wiley, Chichester

    Google Scholar 

  • Kahneman D, Krueger AB, Schkade D, Schwarz N, Stone AA (2006) Would you be happier if you were richer? A focusing illusion. Science 312(5782):1908–1910

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kearsley GP (1975) Problem-solving set and functional fixedness: a contextual dependency hypothesis. Can Psychol Rev 16(4):261–268

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kirwan B (1992) Human error identification in human reliability assessment. Part 1: overview of approaches. Appl Ergon 23(5):299–318

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Krueger JI, Funder DC (2004) Towards a balanced social psychology: causes, consequences, and cures for the problem-seeking approach to social behavior and cognition. Behav Brain Sci 27:313–376

    Google Scholar 

  • Lavya I, Shrikib A (2010) Engaging in posing activities in a dynamic geometry setting and the development of prospective teachers’ mathematical knowledge. J Math Behav 29:11–24

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Le Bot P (2004) Human reliability data, human error and accident models—illustration through the Three Mile Island accident analysis. Reliab Eng Syst Saf 83(2):153–167

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Leontiev AN (1974) The problem of activity in psychology. Sov Psychol 13(2):4–33

    MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Leontiev AA (2001/2006) “Units” and levels of activity. J Russ East Eur Psychol 44(3):30–46

  • Leshcheva I, Gorovaya D, Leshchev D (2010) Ontology-based assessment technique. In: Proceedings of the 2nd international workshop on semantic web applications in higher education (SemHE’10), Southampton, UK. Retrieved 01 June 2015 from http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/271753/1/semhe10-leshcheva-etal.pdf

  • Liu T, Slotnick SD, Serences JT, Yantis S (2003) Cortical mechanisms of feature-based attentional control. Cereb Cortex 13(12):1334–1343

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Luchins AS (1942) Mechanization in problem solving: the effect of Einstellung. Psychol Monogr 54(6):i–95

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maggin DM, Chafouleas SM, Goddard KM, Johnson AH (2011) A systematic evaluation of token economies as a classroom management tool for students with challenging behavior. J Sch Psychol 49:529–554

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mayr U, Kuhns D, Hubbard J (2014) Long-term memory and the control of attentional control. Cogn Psychol 72:1–26

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meyer KA (2010) A comparison of Web 2.0 tools in a doctoral course. Internet High Educ 13:226–232

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Milgram S (1973) The perils of obedience. Harper’s Mag 247(1483):62–77

    Google Scholar 

  • Milgram S (1974) Obedience to authority: an experimental view. Tavistock Publications, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Nardi B (1995) Studying context: a comparison of activity theory, situated action models, and distributed cognition. In: Nardi B (ed) Context and consciousness: activity theory and human–computer interaction. MIT, Cambridge, pp 35–52

    Google Scholar 

  • Oppenheimer DM, LeBoeuf RA, Brewer NT (2008) Anchors aweigh: a demonstration of cross-modality anchoring and magnitude priming. Cognition 106(1):13–26

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pecher C, Quaireau C, Lemercier C, Cellier JM (2011) The effects of inattention on selective attention: how sadness and ruminations alter attention functions evaluated with the Attention Network Test. Revue Européenne de Psychologie Appliqué—Eur Rev Appl Psychol 61:43–50

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Perimenis A, Walimwipi H, Zinoviev S, Müller-Langer F, Miertus S (2011) Development of a decision support tool for the assessment of biofuels. Energy Policy 39:1782–1793

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Purcell AT, Gero JS (1996) Design and other types of fixation. Des Stud 17(4):363–383

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Railean E (2015) Psychological and pedagogical considerations in digital textbook use and development. IGI Global, Hershey

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Rasmussen J (1983) Skills, roles, and knowledge: signals, signs, and symbols, and other distinctions in human performance models. IEEE Trans Syst Man Cybern 13(3):257–266

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Rasmussen J, Svedung I (2000) Proactive risk management in a dynamic society. Räddningsverket, Karlstad

    Google Scholar 

  • Rasmussen J, Pejtersen AM, Goodstein LP (1994) Cognitive systems engineering. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Ritter SM, Damian RI, Simonton DK, van Baaren RB, Strick M, Derks J, Dijksterhuis A (2012) Diversifying experiences enhance cognitive flexibility. J Exp Soc Psychol 48:961–964

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rodríguez WR, Saz O, Lleida E (2012) A prelingual tool for the education of altered voices. Speech Commun 54(5):583–600

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ruff HA, Rothbart MK (1996) Attention in early development: themes and variations. Oxford University Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Samuel RD, Tenenbaum G (2011) How do athletes perceive and respond to change-events: an exploratory measurement tool. Psychol Sport Exerc 12:392–406

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sauter SL, Hurrell JJ Jr, Murphy LR, Levi L (2012) Psychosocial and organizational factors. In: Encyclopaedia of occupational health and safety, 4th edn. Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. Retrieved 01 June 2015 from http://www.ilocis.org/en/default.html and http://ilocis.org/documents/chpt34e.htm

  • Scerif G (2010) Attention trajectories, mechanisms and outcomes: at the interface between developing cognition and environment. Dev Sci 13(6):805–812

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schkade DA, Kahneman D (1998) Does living in California make people happy? A focusing illusion in judgments of life satisfaction. Psychol Sci 9(5):340–346

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schultz PW, Searleman A (1998) Personal need for structure, the Einstellung task, and the effect of stress. Pers Individ Differ 24(3):305–310

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shipman D, Roa M, Hooten J, Wang ZJ (2012) Using the analytic rubric as an evaluation tool in nursing education: the positive and the negative. Nurse Educ Today 32:246–249

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shomstein S, Behrmann M (2008) Object-based attention: strength of object representation and attentional guidance. Percept Psychophys 70(1):132–144

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shomstein S, Yantis S (2004) Configural and contextual prioritization in object-based attention. Psychon Bull Rev 11(2):247–253

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Simon HA (1982) Models of bounded rationality. MIT Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Slitge DJ, de Dreu CKW, Nijstad BA (2011) Power, stability of power, and creativity. J Exp Soc Psychol 47:891–897

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stroop JR (1935) Studies of interference in serial verbal reactions. J Exp Psychol 18(6):643–662

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sujan MA (2012) A novel tool for organizational learning and its impact on safety culture in a hospital dispensary. Reliab Eng Syst Saf 101:21–34

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Theeuwes J (1991) Exogenous and endogenous control of attention: the effect of visual onsets and offsets. Percept Psychophys 49(1):83–90

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Theurier JP (2010) Le Projet Performance Humaine au sein du parc nucléaire français. La Revue Générale du Nucléaire 3:71–73

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thomas KE, Newstead SE, Handley SJ (2003) Exploring the time prediction process: the effects of task experience and complexity on prediction accuracy. Appl Cogn Psychol 17(6):655–673

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tolman EC (1948) Cognitive maps in rats and men. Psychol Rev 55:189–208

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Torija AJ, Ruiza DP, Alba-Fernandezb V, Ramos-Ridaoc A (2012) Noticed sound events management as a tool for inclusion in the action plans against noise in medium-sized cities. Landsc Urban Plan 104:148–156

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tversky A, Kahneman D (1974) Judgment under uncertainty: heuristics and biases. Science 185:1124–1130

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wass SV, Scerif G, Johnson MH (2012) Training attentional control and working memory—Is younger, better? Dev Rev 32(4):360–387

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Woltz DJ, Gardner MK, Gyll SP (2000) The role of attention processes in near transfer of cognitive skills. Learn Individ Differ 12:209–251

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zinchenko VP, Gordon VM/Зинчeнкo BП, Гopдoн BM (1976) Meтoдoлoгичecкиe пpoблeмы Пcиxoлoгичecкoгo aнaлизa в cиcтeмнoм иccлeдoвaнии [Methodological problems of psychological analysis of performance]. In: Cиcтeмныe иccлeдoвaния. Hayкa, Mocквa [Systems research. Nauka, Moscow]

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the research community of the Institute of Social Psychology, London School of Economics and Political Sciences (London, UK) and more specifically Apurv Chauhan and Prof. S. Lahlou. We are also warmly grateful to all participants of the experiments and the management of the companies who accepted the experiments or observations and analyses. The authors thank Electricité de France for financial support.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Head Management Department, Nuclear Power Plant of Chinon, BP80, 37420, Avoine, France

    Philippe Fauquet-Alekhine & Anne Boucherand

  2. Laboratory for Research in Science of Energy, Montagret, 86200, Nueil/Faye, France

    Philippe Fauquet-Alekhine

  3. Institute of Social Psychology, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, UK

    Philippe Fauquet-Alekhine

Authors
  1. Philippe Fauquet-Alekhine
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Anne Boucherand
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Philippe Fauquet-Alekhine.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest in relation to this article.

Appendix: Three-level scale regarding time-pressure

Appendix: Three-level scale regarding time-pressure

This scale was elaborated on the basis the analysis of 200 safety events on the NPP of Chinon over the past 10 years (interviews with actors of the event, causal analysis of the event and factors of comprehension for each cause, validation of the analysis with actors) and observations of real operating situations (Fauquet 2006; Fauquet-Alekhine and Boucherand 2011). The results led to 7 objective criteria describing time-pressure applying to workers in control rooms or in the field (independently from any other factors such as the activity stake). These criteria were then associated with a three-level scale characterizing time-pressure for these kinds of activities: low, moderate and high.

See Table 2.

Table 2 Criteria associated with a three-level scale characterizing time-pressure
Full size table

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Fauquet-Alekhine, P., Boucherand, A. Structuring effect of tools conceptualized through Initial Goal Fixedness for work activity. Cogn Tech Work 18, 145–160 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10111-015-0351-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10111-015-0351-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation