CEA Cognitive Ergonomics & Mental Workload

Question 1

Cognitive ergonomics is primarily concerned with which aspect of human performance?

Accepted Answer

Mental processes such as perception, memory, and decision-making in work systems

Answer

Cognitive ergonomics addresses mental processes—perception, attention, memory, reasoning, and decision-making—as they relate to human-system interaction.

Question 2

According to Miller's Law, working memory can hold approximately how many chunks of information at once?

Accepted Answer

7 ± 2 items

Answer

Miller's Law states working memory capacity is approximately 7 ± 2 chunks, though more recent research suggests the functional limit is closer to 3–4 chunks.

Question 3

Which NASA-developed scale is the most widely used tool for assessing subjective mental workload?

Accepted Answer

NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX)

Answer

The NASA-TLX is a multidimensional rating procedure that evaluates workload across six subscales including mental demand, temporal demand, effort, and frustration.

Question 4

Endsley's three-level model of situation awareness (SA) includes perception, comprehension, and:

Accepted Answer

Projection of future status

Answer

Endsley's model defines SA as Level 1 (perception of environmental elements), Level 2 (comprehension of their meaning), and Level 3 (projection of future state).

Question 5

Inattentional blindness refers to which cognitive phenomenon?

Accepted Answer

Failure to notice an unexpected but visible stimulus when attention is focused elsewhere

Answer

Inattentional blindness occurs when attentional resources are fully allocated to one task, causing clearly visible but unexpected stimuli to go unnoticed.

(CEA) Certified Ergonomics Associate Practice Test

(CEA) Certified Ergonomics Associate Practice Test

CEA Cognitive Ergonomics & Mental Workload