Aggie Research Programs

Texas A&M University

Spring 2020 – Reducing Mental Fatigue from Sustained Attention Task

Affiliations: Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Human Factors & Cognitive Systems (HF&CS) Lab
Project Leader: Johnathan McKenzie
johnathan.mckenzie@tamu.edu
Industrial & Systems Engineering
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Thomas Ferris, Ph.D.
Meeting Times:
 TBD
Team Size:
 6 (Team Full)
Open Spots: 0
Special Opportunities:
  • Learn how to design and conduct human subject experiments
  • Learn how to perform a literature review
  • Learn data analysis methods
Team Needs:
The following skills are helpful, but not necessarily required.
  • Just having a willingness to learn can lead to acquiring these skills as you work on the project! -Knowledge of human psychology, particularly human information processing
  • Programming skills (general, and possibly XML or Python specifically depending on the task used)
  • Knowledge of physiological measurements and operation of devices (Ex: Empatica)
  • Statistical design of experiments
  • Conducting human data collection during experiment (Be good at working with people!)
  • Statistical analysis of date (using Excel, R, JASP, SPSS, or other software)
Description:
It is very common for a person to experience mental fatigue when performing a task requiring high levels of attention for an extended period of time. This often results in an undesirable decrease in performance on the task. This fatigue can sometimes be relieved by taking a rest break, but then the person is no longer being productive. Human factors engineers and psychologists have studied human information processing and categorized different mental functions and/or resources. This study seeks to investigate whether temporarily changing the type of mental functions or resources used will relieve the mental fatigue brought about by the original task. This project will consist of designing and conducting an experiment in which human participants complete basic computerized tasks requiring sustained attention and investigating whether having them change to a different task relieves any of their mental fatigue as shown in their performance. Measurements will be made of performance, subjective fatigue, and physiological changes (heart rate, pupil change, etc.)