Visual search training via a consistency protocol: a pilot study

ABSTRACT

Visual search, looking for targets among distractors, is a core cognitive ability for many professions (e.g., aviation security, radiology, military). As such, there is often a large focus on training to improve performance. Existing training procedures largely emphasize improving target recognition skills (i.e., identifying targets), however, generalized visual search training might provide more robust results by improving generic search skills. Generalized search training has received relatively little attention and much is unknown about if and how it might work. The current pilot study examined the impact of one hypothesized general factor, search consistency, on potential search improvements. Search consistency was operationalized as the degree to which individuals approached searches in the same way across attempts. A training study with novice searchers revealed significant reductions in false alarms, suggesting that consistency training could potentially offer a means to affect general search performance.

KEYWORDS:

• Visual search
• consistency
• cognitive training
• professional search
• search accuracy

Acknowledgements

The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Navy, Department of Defense, nor the U.S. Government. LT Biggs is a military service member. This work was prepared as part of his official duties. Title 17 U.S.C. §105 provides that “Copyright protection under this title is not available for any work of the United States Government.” Title 17 U.S.C. §101 defines a U.S. Government work as a work prepared by a military service member or employee of the U.S. Government as part of that person’s official duties. The study protocol was approved by the Duke University Institutional Review Board in compliance with all applicable Federal regulations governing the protection of human subjects.

Disclosure Statement

S. Mitroff is the Chief Science Officer of Kedlin Screening International, a company that has a product focused on personnel selection and assessment.

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by the Army Research Office under Contract No. W911NF-13-1-0480.