The development of technique for diagnostics of concurrent task performance ability

Abstract

Professional success of military aviators, civil pilots, cosmonauts and other operators in many ways depends on their concurrent task performance capability which manifests itself in the ability to carry out various mental tasks (for example, cognitive and motor) simultaneously. However the existing system of professional and psychological selection of the above specialist in Russia doesn't estimate the concurrent task performance capability since a national technique for the solution of this problem hasn't yet been developed. Therefore the goal of developing the computer technique that simulates concurrent task performance and may be used for diagnostics of the relevant ability was set. The authors developed the appropriate technique received named “The Adaptive Model of Operator Activity” (AMOD). It passed experimental check for criterion validity. Two samples – military aviators (N = 21) and students of technical university (N = 23) – were included in the study. The study results analysis confirmed that the developed technique meets the validity requirements. On this basis “The Adaptive Model of Operator Activity” was recommended for further approbation as a test for diagnostics of concurrent task performance capability in professional selection of operators in aviation and space navigation.