AEP Human Factors Engineering 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which cognitive model describes the human operator as a limited-capacity information processor with sensory, working memory, and long-term memory stores?
- Rasmussen's SRK model
- Wickens' Multiple Resource Theory
- Atkinson-Shiffrin model (Correct answer)
- Signal Detection Theory
Correct answer: Atkinson-Shiffrin model
The Atkinson-Shiffrin model describes human cognition as a three-stage system: sensory register, short-term (working) memory, and long-term memory.
Question 2: In a process control room, operators must monitor 40 alarms simultaneously. Which human factors principle is most violated?
- Fitts' Law
- The magical number 7 ± 2 (Miller's Law) (Correct answer)
- Hick's Law
- Weber's Law
Correct answer: The magical number 7 ± 2 (Miller's Law)
Miller's Law states working memory can hold approximately 7 ± 2 chunks of information, so monitoring 40 alarms far exceeds cognitive capacity.
Question 3: A display shows altitude in a non-standard unit unfamiliar to pilots. Which type of mental workload does this primarily increase?
- Physical workload
- Temporal workload
- Cognitive/translation workload (Correct answer)
- Emotional workload
Correct answer: Cognitive/translation workload
Requiring mental unit conversion adds cognitive/translation workload because operators must expend extra resources interpreting the unfamiliar representation.
Question 4: Ecological interface design (EID) is specifically intended to support which type of behavior in Rasmussen's SRK framework?
- Skill-based behavior only
- Rule-based behavior only
- Knowledge-based behavior (Correct answer)
- Reflex-based behavior
Correct answer: Knowledge-based behavior
EID was developed to support knowledge-based reasoning by making system constraints and deep structure visible during novel, unplanned situations.
Question 5: According to Fitts' Law, doubling the distance to a target while keeping target width constant will:
- Double movement time
- Quadruple movement time
- Increase movement time by approximately one bit of information (Correct answer)
- Have no effect on movement time
Correct answer: Increase movement time by approximately one bit of information
Fitts' Law (MT = a + b·log₂(2D/W)) shows that doubling distance increases the index of difficulty by 1 bit, increasing movement time proportionally.
Question 6: A naturalistic decision-making (NDM) approach, as described by Klein, emphasizes that experienced decision-makers primarily use:
- Systematic comparison of all available options
- Recognition-primed decisions based on pattern matching (Correct answer)
- Probabilistic risk analysis before acting
- Group consensus before committing
Correct answer: Recognition-primed decisions based on pattern matching
Klein's Recognition-Primed Decision (RPD) model shows experts rapidly recognize situations as familiar and simulate the first plausible action rather than comparing options.
Question 7: Which measure is MOST appropriate for assessing operator situation awareness in a complex system?
- Heart rate variability
- SAGAT (Situation Awareness Global Assessment Technique) (Correct answer)
- NASA-TLX
- Link analysis
Correct answer: SAGAT (Situation Awareness Global Assessment Technique)
SAGAT is a freeze-probe technique specifically designed to measure all three levels of situation awareness: perception, comprehension, and projection.
AEP Human Factors Engineering 2
Which cognitive model describes the human operator as a limited-capacity information processor with sensory, working memory, and long-term memory stores?