Effects of Increased Cognitive Load on Field of View in Multi-task Operations Involving Surveillance

Many operations, such as air traffic control which requires simultaneous surveillance and communication, involve multi-tasking. Yet, research on effects of multi-tasking on visual processing tend to revolve around driving. As such, similar effects on functional field of view in multi-tasking operations involving surveillance, while considering stimuli parameters that might be implicated, remain a gap in understanding. In this study, we investigated the effects of the presence of a secondary task and stimuli parameters (size and contrast) on the response accuracy and response time for stimuli appearing in the visual field. Mixed analyses of variance revealed that response time, but not accuracy, was affected by the engagement in multiple tasks. An interaction between the parameters of the presented stimuli signals the need to consider external factors in multi-task operations. Implications and future directions are discussed.