Effects of Intermittent Noise on the Performance of a Complex Psychomotor Task

Abstract

Manual image-motion compensation, a complex psychomotor task involved in certain photographic activities from orbit, was investigated as a function of the temporal pattern (aperiodic, periodic, or continuous) and intensity level (50, 70, or 90 db.) of white noise. Performance was measured in terms of the total amount of time image motion was held at or below a 40-microradians/second criterion for specific blocks of trials. The results of the investigation showed that white noise had a detrimental effect on image motion compensation performance, and that the magnitude of the decrement varied as a function of both the temporal pattern and intensity level of this noise.