Using eye tracking to investigate the effects of interruptions on attention and performance

Voiceover

Presenter(s)

Michael Martinez

Abstract or Description

Interruptions and distractions occur every day, and at times can be an inconvenience on one’s ability to perform simple daily tasks. To investigate the influence distractions, have on attention and performance, this study will utilize eye tracking to conduct an examination of auditory distractions during two different workload conditions. Evidence from Kanaan & Moachdieh (2021) suggest that interruptions lead to slower and more limited search of visual information directly after the interruption in a high-workload condition, resulting in lower mean saccade amplitude and higher mean fixation duration. To acquire a better understanding of distractions on attention and performance this study will focus on irrelevant auditory distractions that occur during the task. Participants primary task will be to monitor a computer screen and detect subtle changes in shapes on the screen. Changes will be noted for the objects they are able to detect by pressing a button on a gamepad. There will be a high-workload condition (7-9 shapes) and a low-workload condition (3-5 shapes), as well as two distraction conditions comprised of trials with irrelevant auditory distractions and trials without auditory distraction. Eye movements will be examined across conditions. We hypothesize that the results will align with Kanaan & Moachdieh and that there will be a higher mean fixation duration and a lower mean saccade amplitude after an auditory interruption in the high-workload condition, although the auditory information is completely task irrelevant.  

Kanaan, D., & Moacdieh, N. (2021). Eye Tracking to Evaluate the Effects of Interruptions and Workload in a Complex Task. Human Factors: The Journal Of The Human Factors And Ergonomics Society, 001872082199048. https://doi.org/10.1177/0018720821990487