FEAST Attention and Multitasking Questions and Answers

Question 1

An air traffic controller is simultaneously monitoring a radar display for potential conflicts, listening for pilot readbacks on the radio, and mentally planning an approach sequence for several aircraft.
This concurrent management of multiple, distinct information streams is a clear example of:

Accepted Answer

Divided attention

Answer

Sustained attention

Answer

Selective attention

Answer

Auditory vigilance

Question 2

The phenomenon where an air traffic controller becomes so focused on resolving a single complex problem that they fail to perceive other important, clearly visible information on their display, such as an alert for a different aircraft, is known as:

Accepted Answer

Attentional tunneling

Answer

Situational compliance

Answer

Procedural drift

Answer

Cognitive dissonance

Question 3

Which of the following represents a primary 'cost' associated with frequent task-switching in a multitasking environment like air traffic control?

Accepted Answer

A momentary loss of efficiency and increased potential for error with each switch.

Answer

A gradual improvement in the accuracy of all tasks.

Answer

The elimination of the need for short-term memory.

Answer

A reduction in the mental resources required for each task.

Question 4

During a period of high traffic, a controller is intensely focused on vectoring an aircraft around a thunderstorm. An unexpected, non-conflicting aircraft with an unusual callsign appears on the screen, but the controller fails to notice it. This failure to see an unexpected but fully visible object is a classic example of:

Accepted Answer

Inattentional blindness

Answer

Confirmation bias

Answer

Long-term memory lapse

Answer

Motor skill error

Question 5

An air traffic controller is actively managing a developing conflict between two aircraft on converging courses. At the same moment, a pilot on the frequency makes a non-urgent, routine request for a frequency change for a sector they will not enter for another 15 minutes. Which cognitive skill is most critical for the controller to apply immediately?

Accepted Answer

Task prioritization and selective attention

Answer

Long-term memory recall of flight plans

Answer

Auditory vigilance for specific callsigns

Answer

Procedural memory for standard phraseology

Question 6

To effectively manage a high-traffic situation and maintain situational awareness, a controller must continuously and systematically scan their entire area of responsibility rather than fixating on one part of the sector. This primary strategy is designed to mitigate the risks of:

Accepted Answer

Attentional tunneling and cognitive fixation.

Answer

Poor communication phraseology.

Answer

Lack of procedural knowledge.

Answer

Incorrect flight plan data entry.

An air traffic controller is simultaneously monitoring a radar display for potential conflicts, listening for pilot readbacks on the radio, and mentally planning an approach sequence for several aircraft.This concurrent management of multiple, distinct information streams is a clear example of:

An air traffic controller is simultaneously monitoring a radar display for potential conflicts, listening for pilot readbacks on the radio, and mentally planning an approach sequence for several aircraft.
This concurrent management of multiple, distinct information streams is a clear example of: