The Sternberg memory search task as an index of pilot workload

Abstract

The rationale for the use of the Sternberg memory search task as a diagnostic measure of pilot workload is described, and seven investigations that have employed this task in flight simulators or aircraft environments are summarized. The details of two further flight simulator experiments in which workload is measured by an auditory Sternberg task are reported. These results indicate the diagnostic value of the task in discriminating between the perceptual/central processing and response demands of a holding pattern and an approach pattern, respectively. Perceptual and response load were greater in an approach phase, relative to a holding phase. Neither phase imposed a substantial central processing load. Based upon the findings of the studies described, the paper concludes with a set of recommendations for employing the Sternberg task in aviation environments. These recommendations emphasize the importance of information display and response procedures, the choice of particular memory sets, the presentation of data, and the need to avoid extremely difficult flight tasks.