Strategy influences directional control–response compatibility: evidence from an underground coal mine shuttle car simulation

Abstract

This paper examines the influence which participants’ task strategy has on directional control–response compatibility. Two experiments are reported in which participants were grouped according to the strategies they reported using while driving a simulated analogy of an underground coal mine shuttle car. In Experiment 1, compatibility effects were found for participants who reported adopting the wheel-referenced instruction. No reaction time compatibility effects were observed for participants who adopted a rule-based strategy for all trials. Participants were given rule-based instruction in Experiment 2. Seven participants followed the instruction, and no reaction time compatibility effect was observed. However, 15 participants reported adopting a wheel-referenced strategy during ‘compatible’ trials, and directional compatibility effects were found. In summary, regardless of the instructions provided during experimental situations, individuals may identify action features which they consider helpful in achieving the task goal, and these different strategies influence directional control–response compatibility.

Keywords:

• stimulus–response compatibility
• control–response compatibility
• action intention
• strategy
• instruction
• simulation

About the authors

Christine Zupanc was a PhD candidate, at the School of Human Movement Studies, University of Queensland, when she carried out this research. Her research has covered compatibility issues related to other control devices, and human factors issues in the health industry.

Robin Burgess-Limerick is Professor of Human Factors and Deputy Director of the Minerals Industry Safety and Health Centre, Sustainable Minerals Institute at The University of Queensland.

Guy Wallis (BEng Electrical Engineering, DPhil University of Oxford) is a Principal Research Fellow funded through the Australian Research Council's Future Fellowship scheme. After his graduate studies he spent three years at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics in Germany before moving to the University of Queensland in 1998. His research investigates mechanisms underlying visual processing in higher cortical areas, as well as the use of this information in regulating movement.