Exploring Sex Differences in Vigilance Performance with Knowledge of Results

Abstract

Vigilance, also referred to as sustained attention, is the ability to maintain attention for extended periods of time while monitoring for, oftentimes, critical signals. In attempt to aid performance decrements in vigilance tasks, previous research has examined the effects of knowledge of results (KR). In essence, KR provides feedback on performance, and is argued to enhance the understanding of task structure and motivation to complete the task successfully. However, relatively little is known about how individual differences, such as observer sex, influence KR effects in vigilance. In the present study, 73 observers completed a 25-minute vigilance task in which they were required to monitor flight paths. Observers were randomly assigned to either a KR condition, in which feedback was given for correct detections, false alarms, and misses, or a control condition, where no feedback was provided. The results indicated that small sex differences were found for correct detections and false alarms, as a function of KR.