CPE CPE Cognitive Ergonomics & Mental Workload Questions and Answers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In cognitive ergonomics, what is 'inattentional blindness'?
- Vision loss caused by bright computer screens
- Failure to perceive an unexpected stimulus when attention is focused elsewhere (Correct answer)
- Loss of peripheral vision in aging workers
- Cognitive overload causing temporary memory loss
Correct answer: Failure to perceive an unexpected stimulus when attention is focused elsewhere
Inattentional blindness occurs when a person fails to notice an unexpected but clearly visible stimulus because their attention is fully occupied by another task.
Question 2: The Fitts' Law model in human-computer interaction predicts what?
- Number of errors in data entry tasks
- Time to acquire a target as a function of distance and target size (Correct answer)
- User satisfaction with interface design
- Optimal keyboard layout for minimum keystrokes
Correct answer: Time to acquire a target as a function of distance and target size
Fitts' Law predicts that movement time to hit a target increases with distance and decreases with target size, expressed as ID = log2(2A/W).
Question 3: Which memory system holds information for only a few seconds without rehearsal?
- Long-term memory
- Sensory memory
- Working memory (short-term memory) (Correct answer)
- Procedural memory
Correct answer: Working memory (short-term memory)
Working memory (short-term memory) holds approximately 7±2 items for roughly 15–30 seconds without active rehearsal or encoding.
Question 4: Error-tolerant design in cognitive ergonomics refers to systems that:
- Prevent all possible human errors absolutely
- Allow users to detect, recover from, or undo errors without catastrophic consequences (Correct answer)
- Eliminate user discretion through full automation
- Require extensive training to avoid errors
Correct answer: Allow users to detect, recover from, or undo errors without catastrophic consequences
Error-tolerant design assumes errors will occur and builds in mechanisms for detection, reversal, and recovery to minimize consequences.
Question 5: What is the primary goal of compatible display-control relationships in ergonomics?
- Reduce equipment cost
- Align the spatial or conceptual relationship between controls and their corresponding displays (Correct answer)
- Increase the number of functions per control
- Standardize all controls across industries
Correct answer: Align the spatial or conceptual relationship between controls and their corresponding displays
Compatible display-control relationships reduce reaction time and errors by matching the spatial or movement logic of controls with their display indicators.
Question 6: Dual-task methodology is used in ergonomics research primarily to:
- Improve worker physical fitness
- Measure the spare cognitive capacity (mental workload) of a primary task (Correct answer)
- Train workers to multitask effectively
- Assess physical fatigue in repetitive jobs
Correct answer: Measure the spare cognitive capacity (mental workload) of a primary task
In dual-task methodology, a secondary task is added to a primary task; degradation in secondary task performance reveals the mental workload demanded by the primary task.
CPE CPE Cognitive Ergonomics & Mental Workload Questions and Answers 2
In cognitive ergonomics, what is 'inattentional blindness'?