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The effects of type of knowledge upon human problem solving in a process control taskThe question of what the operator of a dynamic system needs to know was investigated in an experiment using PLANT, a simulation of a generic dynamic production process. Knowledge of PLANT was manipulated via different types of instruction, so that four different groups were created: (1) minimal instructions only; (2) minimal instructions and guidelines for operation (procedures); (3) minimal instructions and dynamic relationships (principles); and (4) minimal instructions, and procedures, and principles. Subjects controlled PLANT in a variety of situations which required maintaining production while also diagnosing familiar and unfamiliar failures. Despite the fact that these manipulations resulted in differences in subjects' Knowledge, as assessed via a written test at the end of the experiment, instructions had no effect upon achievement of the primary goal of production, or upon subjects' ability to diagnose unfamiliar failures. However, those groups receiving procedures controlled the system in a more stable manner. Possible reasons for the failure to find an effect of principles are presented, and the implications of these results for operator training and aiding are discussed.
Document ID
19860033033
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Morris, N. M.
(Search Technology, Inc. Norcross, GA, United States)
Rouse, W. B.
(Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta, United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
December 1, 1985
Publication Information
Publication: IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics
Volume: SMC-15
ISSN: 0018-9472
Subject Category
Man/System Technology And Life Support
Accession Number
86A17771
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG2-123
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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