Reversal of the Cry-Wolf Effect: An Investigation of Two Methods to Increase Alarm Response Rates

Abstract

In complex task environments, false alarms have been associated with less frequent and slower alarm responses. This research attempted to improve alarm responses using a hearsay method, in which participants were told that false alarms would be less frequent than they actually were, and an urgency method, in which the urgency of alarms was increased. Response frequency, speed, and accuracy of three groups of 20 students (Urgency, Hearsay, and Control) were compared across groups and sessions using analyses of variance and t tests. Both methods were successful; hearsay participants increased their response rates across sessions, and urgency participants decreased their response times. The results are discussed with regard to design of alarm systems and theory of human performance.