scholarly journals The effect of cognitive task difficulty on humor ratings of captioned cartoons

1976 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 275-276 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald B. Reutener ◽  
Anne E. Kazak
Keyword(s):  
Task Difficulty ◽  
Cognitive Task

Multimodal Measures of Mental Workload during Dual-Task Performance: Energetic Demands of Cognitive Processes

1992 ◽  
Vol 36 (18) ◽  
pp. 1413-1417 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard W. Backs ◽  
Arthur M. Ryan
Keyword(s):  
Dual Task ◽  
Visual Memory ◽  
Task Difficulty ◽  
Mental Workload ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Processing Load ◽  
Processing Resource ◽  
Central Processing ◽  
Cognitive Components ◽  
Energetic Model

Fifteen male volunteers participated in a dual-task study in which the central processing load of visual memory and tracking tasks and the physical load of the tracking task were orthogonally manipulated to produce varying levels of task difficulty. Multiple modes of assessment were used to measure mental workload (MWL) across difficulty levels, including: performance, subjective, cardiovascular, and metabolic. To our knowledge, this study is the first to demonstrate metabolic change with manipulations of cognitive task difficulty; others have found only baseline-to-task changes. The relation of the metabolic demands of the task to central processing resource utilization provided support for a structural energetic model of attention that may help to explain measure dissociations. The results of the present study indicated that heart period was only sensitive to central manipulations of task difficulty that affected energetic resources. Performance and subjective MWL were sensitive to all cognitive components of the tasks. We suggest that cardiovascular measures will associate with other measures only when the manipulations of task difficulty require energetic adjustment, and would expect these measures to dissociate when energetic adjustment is not required.

A Comparison of Mental Workload in Individuals with Transtibial and Transfemoral Lower Limb Loss during Dual-Task Walking under Varying Demand

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (09) ◽  
pp. 985-997
Author(s):  
Emma P. Shaw ◽  
Jeremy C. Rietschel ◽  
Brad D. Hendershot ◽  
Alison L. Pruziner ◽  
Erik J. Wolf ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dual Task ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Task Difficulty ◽  
Mental Workload ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Cognitive Demand ◽  
Limb Loss ◽  
Alpha Power ◽  
Physical Demand ◽  
Varying Demand

AbstractObjectives: This study aimed to evaluate the influence of lower limb loss (LL) on mental workload by assessing neurocognitive measures in individuals with unilateral transtibial (TT) versus those with transfemoral (TF) LL while dual-task walking under varying cognitive demand. Methods: Electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded as participants performed a task of varying cognitive demand while being seated or walking (i.e., varying physical demand). Results: The findings revealed both groups of participants (TT LL vs. TF LL) exhibited a similar EEG theta synchrony response as either the cognitive or the physical demand increased. Also, while individuals with TT LL maintained similar performance on the cognitive task during seated and walking conditions, those with TF LL exhibited performance decrements (slower response times) on the cognitive task during the walking in comparison to the seated conditions. Furthermore, those with TF LL neither exhibited regional differences in EEG low-alpha power while walking, nor EEG high-alpha desynchrony as a function of cognitive task difficulty while walking. This lack of alpha modulation coincided with no elevation of theta/alpha ratio power as a function of cognitive task difficulty in the TF LL group. Conclusions: This work suggests that both groups share some common but also different neurocognitive features during dual-task walking. Although all participants were able to recruit neural mechanisms critical for the maintenance of cognitive-motor performance under elevated cognitive or physical demands, the observed differences indicate that walking with a prosthesis, while concurrently performing a cognitive task, imposes additional cognitive demand in individuals with more proximal levels of amputation.

Diurnal effects of illuminance on performance: Exploring the moderating role of cognitive domain and task difficulty

2021 ◽  
pp. 147715352199064
Author(s):  
T Ru ◽  
KCHJ Smolders ◽  
Q Chen ◽  
G Zhou ◽  
YAW de Kort
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Sustained Attention ◽  
Response Inhibition ◽  
Task Difficulty ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Negative Mood ◽  
Cognitive Domain ◽  
Conflict Monitoring ◽  
Subjective Sleepiness ◽  
And Task

Literature has occasionally reported acute effects of office illuminance on cognitive performance during daytime. The current study was conducted to systematically investigate whether the type of task and level of task difficulty moderate the effect of daytime illuminance on cognitive functioning. Thirty healthy participants were assigned to high (∼1036 lux at eye level; melanopic EDI = 904 lux) vs. low (∼108 lux at eye level, melanopic EDI = 87 lux) illuminance (at 6500 K) during working hours, in which participants were tested on both easy and difficult versions of tasks probing sustained attention, response inhibition, conflict monitoring and working memory. Subjective sleepiness and mood were also measured. Results revealed that exposure to high vs. low illuminance significantly improved speed on the response inhibition task, and accuracy and speed on the working memory tasks. Moreover, when effects arose, these were moderated by task difficulty, consistently showing more pronounced effects for easy than for difficult trials. Notably, subjective sleepiness and negative mood remained unaffected by illuminance, and no statistically significant effects emerged for sustained attention and conflict monitoring. This study demonstrates that the diurnal cognitive effects of illuminance may be moderated by both types of cognitive task and task difficulty.

scholarly journals BCI-based games and ADHD

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. e52410413942
Author(s):  
Vasiliki Bravou ◽  
Athanasios Drigas
Keyword(s):  
Task Difficulty ◽  
Brain Computer Interface ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Social Motivation ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Computer Interface ◽  
Children With Adhd ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Professional Outcomes

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurological condition characterized by cognitive task difficulty, impulsivity, hyperactivity and loss of attention. It can persist into adulthood with negative academic and socio-professional outcomes. Neurofeedback treatments have been shown as effective for training the attention ability in children with ADHD. It has been found that interactive multi-player games are ideal from a therapeutic and long-term usage point of view due to their higher social motivation and cooperation among children with ADHD. In this study we conducted a semi-systematic review, with the goal of gathering findings from empirical and theoretical works in order to deepen our understanding about the use of Brain Computer Interface (BCI)-based for children and adults with ADHD, as a method to ameliorate the symptoms of their disorder.

scholarly journals Do Task Complexity Demands Influence the Learners’ Perception of Task Difficulty?

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 71
Author(s):  
Nasrin Sanajou ◽  
Leila Zohali ◽  
Fateme Zabihi
Keyword(s):  
Dual Task ◽  
Task Difficulty ◽  
Task Complexity ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
The Other ◽  
Complex Task ◽  
Teaching Materials ◽  
Simple Task ◽  
Single Task ◽  
Efl Learners

This study investigates the effects of cognitive task complexity on EFL learners’ perception of task difficulty. Learners’ perception of task difficulty is measured by a five-item task difficulty questionnaire (as in Robinson, 2001a). The participants were 76 intermediate learners which were divided into two groups. One group performed a simple task (single task) and the other group performed a complex task (dual task). Having performed the tasks, the participants completed the task difficulty questionnaire. In order to see how the participants evaluated task difficulty, their ratings for each question of the questionnaire in the simple and complex tasks was compared using Mann-Whitney U. The results indicate that the complex task significantly affected learners’ perception of task difficulty in three items of difficulty, stress and interest. The results of task difficulty studies can help language educators in designing and employing more effective language teaching materials. 

Task Performance and Electromyopotential as Functions of Task Difficulty and EMG Feedback

1986 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 555-562
Author(s):  
Roy E. Connally ◽  
John N. Dieter ◽  
Kevin Uliano
Keyword(s):  
Task Performance ◽  
Task Difficulty ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Training Session ◽  
Memory Task ◽  
Iconic Memory ◽  
Biofeedback Training ◽  
Audio Feedback ◽  
Cognitive Task Performance ◽  
And Task

The dearth of empirical research in the application of biofeedback is discussed. Exp. 1 assessed relationships among biofeedback EMG training, EMG levels, cognitive task performance, and task difficulty. 72 subjects (male or female college students) were administered 1 trial on an iconic memory task with either EMG audio feedback, sham EMG audio feedback, or no feedback. Three levels of task difficulty were used. One 20-min. training session significantly lowered EMG responses, and task performance was inversely related to task difficulty. No relationship between EMG level and task performance was observed. Exp. 2 investigated the effect of increased EMG responses on cognitive task performance for one level of difficulty. One biofeedback training session did not significantly increase frontalis EMG, and there was no relationship between increased EMG and task performance.

scholarly journals Does Trait Affect Impact Activity Engagement?

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 391-391
Author(s):  
Rebekah Knight ◽  
Allura Lothary ◽  
Thomas Hess
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Task Difficulty ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Sense Of Self ◽  
Trait Affect ◽  
Effort Mobilization ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Negative Trait

Abstract Research has shown the amount of effort we expend towards our goals depends on a sense of self-efficacy, perception of task difficulty, and likelihood of achieving our goal. All of these processes are susceptible to the influence of affect. For example, negative moods may impede goal achievement by increasing perceptions of difficulty (Silvestrini & Gendolla, 2019). Negative experiences (such as past failures) can encourage these negative moods and subsequently impact self-efficacy (Esposito, Gendolla, & Van der Linden, 2014). Findings from self-efficacy research (e.g. Esposito et al., 2014) suggest that older adults may be particularly susceptible to the impacts of negative affect on effort mobilization, especially when tasks already seem challenging, with little chance of success. Perception of task difficulty, then, impacts the amount of effort exerted in completing the task. The present study sought to examine the factors that impact perceptions of difficulty and subsequent effort expenditure, represented by systolic blood pressure responsivity (SBP-R). Younger (N = 41) and Older (N = 163) adults completed a difficult cognitive task as part of a larger, longitudinal study, as well as measures of trait affect before study sessions. Our findings indicate younger adults exert less effort overall than older adults; however, when negative trait affect is considered, we find that higher levels of negative affect in older adults reduced task engagement. These results provide support for an effect of negative affect on task appraisals and posited age-related differences in effort mobilization.

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