bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rethinking intimacy: Semi-anonymous spaces and transitory attachments in Argentine tango dancing
Authors: Törnqvist Maria
Published: January 2017

Although intimacy is an area characterized by great variety and complexity, both popular and academic discourses have traditionally revolved around a restricted number of associations, of which the family, the romantic couple and friendship bonds have resided at the very centre. In this article the author argues that an analytical shift that addresses intimacy in terms of a relational quality – a specific mode of interaction and a particular experience of closeness – instead of a set of relationships, may assist in exploring a wider range of phenomena. This approach is used to study Argentine tango dancing. Ethnographic fieldwork locates the search to the dim-lit dancehalls of Buenos Aires, San Francisco and Stockholm, and accounts for experiences of transitory semi-anonymous attachments. The study concludes tango to be a multifold intimate arena that unveils how complex webs of feelings are entangled with the social organization of attachments.
Trends in Human Factors
Authors: Christensen Julien M.
Published: January 2017

An attempt is made to define the metamorphosis of the human factors area since World War II. While excellent work has been accomplished on problems relating to the detailed design of systems components, there is a significant lack of information relating to the gross problems of systems design. The need for research in this important area is emphasized.

A plea is made for relating future work to the fine foundation that exists in the behavioral and biological sciences. The problems associated with one important area, space travel, are discussed from the point of view of solving them by extending investigations already completed or underway in relevant areas of the behavioral and biological sciences.

The problem of applying available principles to actual design problems is discussed. Investigations that would disclose the generality of the basic principles already available would be of enormous benefit to those engaged in the application of human factors knowledge to the design of components and systems.
Man as a Monitor
Authors: Hickey Albert E. , Blair Wesley C.
Published: January 2017

The use of the feedback principle in monitoring as well as in continuous control situations is proposed. A simple feedback model is discussed and the associated variables identified. These include frequency of observation and response, sensitivity, time constants in feedback and control and reversibility of control. Ten monitoring or vigilance experiments are analyzed in terms of the model.
Perceived Movement in Depth as a Function of Stimulus Size
Authors: Steedman William C. , Baker Charles A.
Published: January 2017

The ability of subjects to perceive movement in depth of flat, circular luminous objects of various angular subtenses in an otherwise stimulus free field has been studied. The stimulus object bad a luminance of 1 ft-Lambert and varied in angular size from 1.5 to 60' of arc at the onset of movement. A method of constant stimuli was used to determine threshold values for the perception of movement. Accuracy in reporting direction of movement improved as the angular subtense of the stimulus increased. For stimuli with subtenses of 1.5 and 60' of arc the 75 per cent thresholds of perceived movement were 8 and 2 per cent change in angular size, respectively. A break in this function was found in the vicinity of stimulus sizes of 12' of are which indicates the possibility of two mechanisms involved in perceiving movement in depth.
Color Coding
Authors: Jones Mam Riess
Published: January 2017

Research published in the last decade on color as a coding device is discussed. The method of absolute judgment yielded similar findings with respect to identifications of surface and luminous hues. These findings suggest that a reliable unidimensional hue code should not contain more than about tight optimally spaced stimuli. Variations in purity and luminance in addition to wavelength can significantly increase the number of usable code categories. However, criteria for code selection in a given situation should depend not only upon the number of visual objects to be differentially identified but also upon the type of task for which the code functions. In particular, color codes do not appear to be suited for situations that demand rapid and precise identification, whereas they are valuable in decreasing search-time with locate-type tasks.
Human Interactions in Man-Machine Systems
Authors: Freed Alvyn M.
Published: January 2017

Human interactions play a vital role in the reliability of man-machine systems. Techniques art necessary to insure that those which occur do so because they are so designed and planned. A tentative approach to providing lists of such interactions, and ways of defining, labelling and measuring them are suggested as basic to design input. Methods for isolating units of interactive behavior are proposed and samples of system behavior and their respective activities described in terms of actions and reactions. The need for definition and labelling of activities couched in operational terms is emphasized in the interest of design, training and measurement of human interactions in man-machine systems. Techniques for accomplishing these steps are suggested.
Biomechanical Power Generated by Forearm Flexion
Authors: Slote Lawrence , Stone Gerald
Published: January 2017

A discrete voluntary ballistic forearm flexion in the sagittal plane was investigated. Interrupted-light photographs were taken of the movement. The photographs provided the basic data from which the fundamental kinematic relationships for this type of motion were formulated. Empirical equations were determined, and their application to the power developed at the elbow joint during conditions of weightlessness shown graphically.
Energy of Contraction in Muscle
Authors: Nubar Yves
Published: January 2017

A large body of the present day theory of production and absorption of work and heat by the contracting muscle is inferred from the experimental study of excised amphibian muscle at 0°. The question arises as to how well the results apply to in situ human muscles. In a study of the question, the thermodynamics of these muscles is discussed and an attempt made to evaluate directly their contraction energy characteristics. The study presumes that the muscle is analogous in some of its properties to both a mechanical spring and an electromagnet. The analogy is utilized to derive an analytical expression of the “biomechanical energy” of a body system in activity. The law of conservation of energy allows a comparison of this expression with the experimental measurement—assumed obtainable—of the “regional metabolism” of the system associated with the activity. The comparison would furnish the magnitudes of two heat coefficients which characterize the contraction energy of the in situ muscle.
Wire Sorting Performance with Color and Number Coded Wires
Authors: Harris Douglas H. , Kolesnik Peter E. , Teel Kenneth S.
Published: January 2017

The objective of this study was to compare the speed and accuracy of wire sorting with color and numbered coded wires. Twelve inexperienced female subjects performed a wire sorting task six times—three times with color coded wire and three times with number coded wire. The task was similar to that performed in the makeup of wire harnesses for electronic equipment. Wire sorting with color coded wire was found to be twice as fast as sorting with number coded wire. There were no statistically significant differences between the two conditions in sorting accuracy or in rate of learning the sorting task.
Visual After-images as a Source of Information
Authors: Teichner Warren H. , Wagner Mahlon
Published: January 2017

This report is concerned with the ability of observers to extract data from induced retinal after-images as a means of increasing the display exposure time in single glimpse situations. It was found that observers can use after-image data, and that the gain in reporting to be expected will be greatest for those situations where, without after-images, reporting is most difficult, that is, under conditions of high display load or very short exposure time. The benefit demonstrated was associated primarily with the positive after-image; however, the negative after-image was not ruled out as a persistent data source.
Effect of Whole Body Vibration on Human Performance
Authors: Buckhout Robert
Published: January 2017

The effects of whole-body vibration at frequencies of 5, 7, and 11 c/s from 25–35 per cent of the human tolerance levels (defined by amplitude levels within each frequency) are to seriously reduce operator efficiency in performing tasks representative of those encountered in aerospace flight. Within the limits of the vibration conditions studied, the following conclusions were drawn from the research: (1) Decrements in vertical tracking performance ranged from 34 to 14 per cent. (2) Decrements in horizontal tracking performance ranged from 10 to 48 per cent. (3) The magnitude of the tracking performance decrements was related to the magnitude of integrated absolute Gz (output) measured at the sternum. (4) More procedural errors were committed under vibration than under static conditions.
Relation between Visual Search Time and Peripheral Visual Acuity
Authors: Eriuckson Ronald A.
Published: January 2017

An experiment conducted at the U.S. Naval Ordnance Test Station investigated the relationship between peripheral visual acuity and time required to locate a target in a static structured display. Sixteen male observers were used in the tests.

Peripheral acuity measured at 3.6 degrees and 4.8 degrees off the visual axis correlated significantly at the 0.01 level with time required to find a target in displays containing 16 or 32 rings and correlated at the 0.05 level with search time on displays of 16 and 32 blobs. Almost all correlations involving search times from object densities of 48 and/or acuity measurements made at 6.0 degrees off the visual axis were not significant.

In addition to the results concerning peripheral visual acuity, other relationships between variables were suggested by an analysis of the data. An analysis of variance established that the shape of the objects in the display (blobs or rings) and the number of objects in the display (16, 32, or 48) had a significant effect (p< 0.01) upon search time. The interaction of shape and object density was also found to be significant at the 0.01 level. There were no significant intercorrelations between observer age, foveal acuity as measured in a naval eye examination, and peripheral acuity. Furthermore, age and foveal acuity did not correlate significantly with search performance.
The Performance of Multi-Man Monitoring Teams
Authors: Wiener Earl L.
Published: January 2017

This study examined the performance of multi-man teams in a visual monitoring task. There were four groups: one, two, and three-man teams, and another three-man team in which the members monitored in isolation but had their responses combined as if they were switches in a parallel circuit. The length of the vigil was 48 min, in which 32 signals appeared.

Results showed that: (a) As team size increased from one to two men, there was a significant increase in probability of detection, but the increase from two to three men was not statistically significant; (b) The combined performance of the three monitors in isolation was superior to the three monitors working together; and (c) The performance of the two and three-man groups fell short of the level predicted by a probability model for independent events.
Data Entry through Chord, Parallel Entry Devices
Authors: Seibel Robert
Published: January 2017

This paper outlines the areas which must be considered in weighing the advantages and disadvantages of chord keyboard devices with respect to one-key-at-a-time devices such as the standard typewriter. These areas include: information per stroke, stroke rate, motor difficulty of chord strokes, motor learning for chord keying, memorization of code, characteristics of use and users of the device in terms of skill level and trainability, schemes for encoding the material to be transcribed so as to achieve more information per stroke, and detremental effects of requiring unfamiliar sequences of keying responses. A particular compromise chord keying system called Rapid-Type is described. The results of a feasibility demonstration of it are reviewed and certain details of coding difficulties are discussed. Finally, some indirect evidence is presented for supporting the statement that the information per stroke has little, or no, effect on keying rate.
Logistics Planning for Physiological Experiments in Extended Manned Space Flights
Authors: Cohen Leonard A.
Published: January 2017

An organizational plan is presented for conducting direct experiments into vital body functions performed by one astronaut as investigator upon another astronaut as subject during manned space flights. The plan is designed to evolve the most compact equipment and most efficient “in flight” experimental procedure necessary for obtaining a given list of physiological data. This list is then developed in such a manner as to produce a table containing minimum necessary equipment and also a table itemizing the most efficient combination and sequence of “in flight” experimental procedures. This plan reduces equipment volume, weight and duplication as well as minimizing the amount of time and physical manipulation necessary to obtain the desired data, thereby optimizing the logistics of the “in flight” physiological data program.
An Evaluation of Training Methods and their Characteristics
Authors: Walker Ralph W.
Published: January 2017

Sixteen training techniques were rated by experienced training personnel each with respect to 34 training selection criteria. Training personnel tend to narrow their selection criteria to those elements which are administratively and contractually imposed. Educational/psychological principles tend to be overlooked. Selection on training techniques in practice should be on a broader and more systematic basis if the selection is to be properly justified.
Technical Publications and the User
Authors: Eames Ronald D. , Starr Jack
Published: January 2017

The low cost of technical publications relative to hardware costs is asserted to be no reason for minimizing the important role of publications in equipment functioning and system performance. The mechanistic orientation in psychology and elsewhere is challenged and reasons are given for added human factors contributions to make technical information more usable. Studies are cited which reveal numerous inadequacies in technical handbooks at the point of use. Conventional studies of technical message variables are suggested to be of only slight relevance to military publications design due to different populations, environments, and conditions of stress. A concept of technical handbooks as devices to control behavior is explained. The need is put forth for a more empirical rather than subjective orientation to technical writing. Recommendations include a proposal for investigation of “user-designed” handbooks, integration of publications development within system development, and study to determine new criteria for effective writing and for the selection and training of writers.
The Field Engineer—Ambassador without Portfolio
Authors: Graffis Leister F.
Published: January 2017

Field engineering considerations for long-duration service and support involve not only the operation and maintenance of a system, but the abilities, import, and impact of the men who will conduct the operation and maintenance in the field. In the case of foreign assignment, habitability or diplomacy may be as much a problem as engineering. The role of the field engineer as a professional field support individual is discussed. Human factors is introduced in terms of practical examples experienced by Bendix Field Engineering during its 15 years of world-wide field support.
Orientation and Education toward the Concept of an Integrated Maintenance Management
Authors: Haglund Richard F.
Published: January 2017

The scope and complexity of functions required to maintain equipments or systems in operational readiness has multiplied with the increased sophistication of product technology. Support costs often exceed original investment and demand a high order of managerial skill and coordination for their control.

Development of improved maintenance/support techniques and an Integrated Maintenance Management concept have been fostered especially in the military services and the defense industry. Wider diffusion of knowledge in this field is needed, and will be available through educational programs now being planned in the Department of Defense and the National Security Industrial Association.

Training for maintenance managers will encourage continuing improvements in technical support functions. Orientation of other management people should yield better coordination and help ensure operational success.
QUIS? A Retrieval System for Library Documents and the Tufts and Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (D.S.I.R.) Human Sciences Bibliographies
Authors: Shackel B.
Published: January 2017

A comprehensive description is given of a retrieval system which can be applied to the personal library of an individual scientist, to the general library of a laboratory or research unit, and to bibliographies of abstracts. The methods used are described in terms of their application to the field of Human Factors, but they are relevant to similar information storage and retrieval problem in any field. Primary features of the system are the serial assignment of accession numbers, an author card file, an accession card file, search using ‘feature’ cards (‘peek-a-boo’), a specially designed desk for storing, punching, and searching the feature cards, and the adoption of the Tufts Topical Outline as the index language. Full operating instructions are given in an appendix.
Data Processing in Typing: Typing Rate as a Function of Kind of Material and Amount Exposed
Authors: Hershman R. L. , Hillix W. A.
Published: January 2017

The effects on performance of kind of material (text, random words, or random characters) and amount of material exposed (1, 2, 3, 6, or an “unlimited” number of characters) were jointly studied in a typewriting task. For the random characters, only a small increase in typing rate was observed beyond three characters exposed. For the words and text, rates were generally higher and continued to increase substantially up to the unlimited exposure condition. The results are discussed in terms of a parallel processor which employs unitary “higher-order responses”.
The Instructional System Approach to Maintenance Technical Training: Development and Implementation Model
Authors: Nunnelly Charles L. , Klemmer Andrew G. , Corrigan Robert E. , Kaufman Ruger A.
Published: January 2017

An Instructional System Model is Presented for meeting Maintenance Technical Training requirements for complying with U. S. Air force Weapon System requirements. Methodology is also presented for determining training requirements and identifying approapriate methods/media combinations for meeting student terminal performance requirements.
Methodology in the Assessment of Complex Performance: Discussion and Conclusions
Authors: Chiles W. Dean
Published: January 2017

This paper summarizes the discussion elicited by the preceding papers. Subsequent to the conference, the tape recordings of the discussion were perused and a series of statements were identified as representing possible points of agreement on the issues considered. These statements were evaluated by 15 people who participated in the conference on a semantic differential scale (agree vs. disagree). The most important conclusions relate to the criterion problem, task taxonomies, the reliability of measures, and the role of face validity in the design of research apparatus.
Application of Servo Theory to a Manual Repetitive Operation,
Authors: Suggs Charles W.
Published: January 2017

The purpose of this study was to develop a model to describe the response of a subject feeding items into a machine. Analysis of a set of data produced a first order servo system with a corner frequency of about 110 cycles per minute. At low frequencies the gain of the system approached one and at high frequencies it decreased at a rate which approached —6db per octave. An additional analysis based on the distribution of the time periods required to handle the items gave a response curve very closely fitting the first order servo system and the experimental data.
Tactual Coding of Cylindrical Knobs
Authors: Bradley James V.
Published: January 2017

Tactual coding of knobs by use of bizarre shapes is frequently achieved at the expense of manipulability and setting precision, which appear, in many cases, to be optimal when knobs are cyclindrical. In order to be able to maximize both discriminability and manipulability, certain parameters of cylindrical knobs were investigated as bases for tactual coding. Rim surface, diameter and thickness were all found to be useful for this purpose. When feeling one of two knobs whose pictures were before them, subjects rarely (less than 1% of the time) identified the wrong picture as the felt knob in any of the following situations: diameters differ by 1/2 inch or more, thicknesses differ by 3/8 inch or more, rim surfaces belong to different ones of the three families: smooth, fluted, knurled.
The Subjective Response to the Thermal Environment
Authors: Teichner Warren H.
Published: January 2017

Techniques used to assess subjective reactions to the thermal environment are evaluated and found to have been developed without any conceptual basis. In addition, the scales used lack sensitivity and inter-experimenter consistency. A novel approach to the problem has been developed which assumes that such measurements must account explicitly for the subject's motivation and which depends upon the correlation between physiological and behavioral measurements on the one hand, and voluntary exposure time on the other. Exploratory data are presented as a first step in the direction of developing methods for introducing the concepts into the laboratory.
Manpower System Models in Personnel Allocation Research
Authors: Sorenson Richard C.
Published: January 2017

Models of several different types are used in the evaluation of policies and procedures related to the personnel system. One model discussed in detail contains an algorithm for accomplishing optimal assignment of men to jobs while satisfying specific restraints. Operational and/or idealized manpower systems may thereby be simulated, facilitating research on assignment of personnel. Results of selected research studies are reviewed.
Human Factors and the Design of Time Sharing Computer Systems
Authors: Nickerson Raymond S. , Elkind Jerome I. , Carbonell Jaime R.
Published: January 2017

The advent of computer time sharing poses an extraordinary challenge to human factors research during the next decade. Before time sharing, two facts combined to de-emphasize the importance of human factors considerations in the design of computer systems: (1) the cost of the computer's time was exorbitantly high relative to the cost of users' time, and (2) the users constituted a select, highly skilled and highly motivated group of specialists. Two of the promises of time sharing, however, are (1) a drastic reduction in the cost of computer time to the individual user, and (2) the large scale availability of computer facilities to individuals untrained in any areas of computer technology. Human factors considerations then become important both for economic and psychological reasons. This paper briefly notes what a few of these considerations are.
On the Psychological Importance of Time in a Time Sharing System
Authors: Carbonell Jaime R. , Elkind Jerome I. , Nickerson Raymond S.
Published: January 2017

One of the most important problems in the design and/or operation of a computer utility is to obtain dynamical characteristics that are acceptable and convenient to the on-line user. This paper is concerned with the problems of access to the computer utility, response time and its effect upon conversational use of the computer, and the effects of load on the system. Primary attention is placed upon response time; rather than a single measure, a set of response times should be measured in a given computer utility, in correspondence to the different types of operations requested. It is assumed that the psychological value of short response time stems from a subjective cost measure of the user's own time, largely influenced by the value of concurrent tasks being postponed. A measure of cost (to the individual and/or his organization) of the time-on-line required to perform a task might thus be derived. More subtle is the problem of the user's acceptability of given response times. This acceptability is a function of the service requested (e.g., length of computation), and variability with respect to expectations due both to uncertainty in the user's estimation and to variations in the response time originated by variable loads on the system. An effort should be made by computer-utility designers to include dynamic characteristics (such as prediction of loads and their effects) among their design specifications.
Velocity-Time Estimation as a Function of Target Speed and Concealment Extent
Authors: Ellingstad Vernon S. , Heimstra Norman W.
Published: January 2017

Eighteen subjects performed a velocity judgment task in which a target was displayed briefly and then disappeared from view. The subjects were required to estimate the time taken by the target to reach a final goal position. When the time data were converted to velocity estimates (concealment distance divided by concealment time estimate), a linear relationship between the mean and standard deviation of the estimated velocity was observed. A greater magnitude of error was associated with the slow target speeds than with the fast speeds, and with the long rather than the short concealment distances. Two distinct response patterns were evident when constant error was used as the time error measure. Some subjects responded with increasing negative constant error to decreases in target speed and increases in concealment distance, while other subjects responded to the same conditions with increased positive constant error. Differential perceptual responses to differences in task difficulty are proposed to account for these results.
Multi-Source Information Acquisition with Optional Stopping
Authors: Kanarick Arnold F. , Huntington Jane M. , Petersen Ronald C.
Published: January 2017

An optional stopping experiment was performed in which the subject had to decide not only how much information to gather prior to making a two-choice decision, but also which of three information sources to consult. The cost of consulting these sources was varied systematically, with each source having a known, fixed diagnosticity. Two loss structures were used: (1) penalty for miss = penalty for false alarm, and (2) penalty for miss = 3 × penalty for false alarm. Results indicated subjects bought too little information relative to an optimal Bayesian model. The subjects indicated a reluctance to expend the resources required to obtain the best information available. Although subjects responded to the loss variables in the appropriate direction, they did not respond with sufficient magnitude to be mathematically optimal. Future research areas are suggested.
Grouping of Printed Digits for Manual Entry
Authors: Klemmer E. T.
Published: January 2017

Recent studies on the spatial grouping of the digits are reviewed with emphasis on six new experiments by the author. For several tasks including keyboard entry and telephone dialing, grouping by 3's and 4's is consistently best in speed. Differences in error rate are generally statistically insignificant. If successive numbers have different groupings (user cannot predict grouping), differences between groupings may not be found. Users often state preferences for larger groups than those producing best performance. The temporal grouping of the user's keystrokes reflects the spatial grouping on the source document; however, the number of digits keyed after each look or referral to a number is not necessarily an indication of optimum grouping. All data point to grouping by 3's and 4's as best.
Preliminary Investigation of Movement Time Between Brake and Accelerator Pedals in Automobiles
Authors: Davies Benjamin T. , Watts John M.
Published: January 2017

This report represents the results of a preliminary study to determine if there is a valid cause to question the positional relationship of brake and accelerator pedals in contemporary automobiles. Ten subjects were tested to determine how long it takes to move the foot from the accelerator to the brake pedal (a) in the same horizontal plane, and (b) with a 6-in. height differential. Experimental results indicated that at high speeds, a reduction in stopping distance of upwards of 14 ft. could be affected for the case tested.
Reduced-Gravity Simulators for Studies of Man's Mobility in Space and on the Moon
Authors: Hewes Donald E.
Published: January 2017

A brief review of some reduced-gravity simulators recently developed at NASA's Langley Research Center to study specific problems relating to man's mobility in various space missions is presented in this paper along with a discussion of the manner in which these devices can be applied to other mobility problems. The devices covered in this review are the lunar walking simulator, the rotating space station simulator, and the lunar landing research facility being utilized by the Spacecraft Research Branch of LRC. These facilities are applicable to a rather broad field of space activities including such aspects as man walking on the lunar surface in a pressurized space suit, flying over the lunar surface with a backpack propulsion unit or a small rocket-propelled vehicle, driving a surface roving vehicle, and orbital assembly of spacecraft components. These facilities can also be applied to studies of space missions on other planets, moons, and asteroids.
The Field Maintenance Interface between Human Engineering and Maintainability Engineering
Authors: Robinson John E. , Deutsch Walter E. , Rogers James G.
Published: January 2017

Field maintenance actions reported in a deployed air defense system were reviewed to determine and quantify (1) the nature of operator and maintainer influences on system malfunctions, and (2) the nature of man-machine problems being encountered by system personnel in actual diagnosis and repair activities. Maintenance events described in 213 problem reports from the field were categorized according to three probable sources of malfunction: primarily human, combination human and equipment, and primarily equipment. Human involvement in system malfunctions was clearly established in 25% of the events reported. Additional information contained in 21 documents analyzing system maintenance was examined. The nature of human influence on system malfunction is described by examples of “unfortunate” field maintenance, “ordinary” field maintenance, and troubleshooting deficiencies. The nature of reported man-machine problems highlighted the fact that human engineering participation in establishing maintainability design requirements can serve to make equipment that will be suitable to the presence and actions of human users.
The Status of Maintainability Models: A Critical Review
Authors: Smith Russell L. , Westland Ronald A. , Crawford Billy M.
Published: January 2017

Significant milestones in the development of maintainability assessment techniques are summarized. Maintainability models are critically reviewed in terms of general utility, ease of application, validity, and use of human engineering data. The capability of each model to be employed during various points in the system development cycle is evaluated with special consideration given to availability of model input data. Examples of potential model approaches are included. Survey results show continuing progress toward the potential development of efficient maintainability modeling techniques. However, increased effort is required to ensure the development of effective systems and to reduce maintenance costs. Emphasis is given to requirements for additional effort in (1) maintainability modeling early in the design process, (2) model validation, and (3) development of timely, valid input data.
Human Strength: Terminology, Measurement, and Interpretation of Data
Authors: Kroemer K. H. Eberhard
Published: January 2017

Application of strength data to human engineering problems is often hampered by ambiguities of both terminology and data. This paper attempts to point out some of the problems. After defining “strength” and clarifying related terms, mechanical, physiological, and statistical implications of strength testing are discussed. It becomes obvious that strength data are fully relevant to human engineering problems only if the operator must exert maximal static muscle force; if submaximal forces are required, the applicability of strength data is very limited. Research is needed to establish relations between human static force capacity and the abilities to perform maximal or submaximal dynamic work. At present there is little evidence that static force data accurately predict dynamic performance.
A Consumer Ombudsman: The Human Factors Engineer
Authors: Fowler Frank D.
Published: January 2017

There has never been a more opportune time than now for the human factors engineer to become the spokesman and advocate of the consumer. He is the only scientist whose academic orientation and job philosophy are directed toward the user of a product or service. Pressures on industry by consumers through government regulation, class action suits, product liability litigation, and demands by consumer organizations for better engineered products have created a receptive but dubious atmosphere. There are three general areas from which the human factors engineer can serve both the public and the manufacturer: as a human factors engineer with a company, as a consumer consultant, or as a government regulatory agent. All three functional areas have to be shown, however, that our discipline can be effective. A three-pronged attack is required to accomplish this. First, we must demonstrate the benefits of our service to the maker or user in terms of money saved or earned, safety, decreased insurance costs, and increased product utilization. Second, we must upgrade the individual engineer's skills in engineering, product liability, product testing, and human performance areas. And third, we must promote changes in college curriculums to reflect this dynamic facet of the profession.
The Use of Human Subjects in Human Factors Research
Authors: Miller James M. , Rockwell Thomas H.
Published: January 2017

Some legal and ethical aspects of utilizing human subjects in research are discussed. Among these key issues are: (I) How does one make a fair judgment of the risks involved as opposed to the potential benefits to be gained? (2) Can one be assured of a subject's “informed consent”? (3) How can a researcher protect himself against liabilities arising from accusations of negligent behavior? As part of the answer, it is suggested that the Human Factors Society establish committees to recommend a code of ethics for its members and also review proposals for human research at the request of its members. Such provisions could be of legal and ethical value in the protection of its member researchers and would help establish and preserve a high professional recognition for the society's leadership in human factors research involving risk to the human subject.
Keying While Listening: The Effect of Input Grouping
Authors: Lee Wayne
Published: January 2017

A study was conducted to explore the effect that the temporal grouping of spoken digits has on keyboard entry. Each subject had to key a series of 12-digit messages in an overlapping manner, i.e., he began keying early in the digit sequence and continued to key previously spoken digits while listening to incoming digits. The digits in a message were either spoken with even spacing or they were grouped into three series of four digits each, with pauses between groups. Total message time was equated for grouped and ungrouped messages. Performance was superior for grouped messages. Memory load, defined as the number of digits received in memory but not yet keyed, was higher for grouped messages. The results are discussed in terms of the division and switching of attention between input and output processes.
What's So Hot about Red?
Authors: Bennett Corwin A. , Rey Paule
Published: January 2017

A prevailing common-sense hypothesis (the “hue-heat” hypothesis) is that an environment which has dominant light frequencies toward the red end of the visible spectrum feels warm and one with dominant blue frequencies feels cool. Twenty-one students made thermal comfort ratings while wearing red, blue, and clear goggles during three 20-min. runs in which air conditions were “comfortable” and wall temperatures were varied from about 60° to 100° F and back. Four analyses were conducted of the temperatures at which subjects changed their thermal comfort judgment from one category to another. While subject and direction-of-temperature-change effects were significant, no hue main effects or interactions were found. It was concluded that hue produces a strictly intellectual effect, a belief that one is warmer or cooler but does not affect one's thermal comfort.
The Effect of Heat Stress on Reaction Time to Centrally and Peripherally Presented Stimuli
Authors: Leibowitz Herschel W. , Abernethy Charles N. , Buskirk Elsworth R. , Bar-Or Oded , Hennessy Robert T.
Published: January 2017

The effect of heat stress on reaction time to centrally and to peripherally presented stimuli was determined for lean and obese subjects whose work levels on a treadmill in a heat chamber produced either a 2.5 or 5% loss of body weight in six hours. Peripheral reaction time improved with practice, but central reaction time was not affected. Obesity, eccentricity of the peripheral stimulus, and the level of dehydration did not have significant effects on reaction time. It was concluded that, for short periods of time, the effects of heat stress can be overcome for highly motivated and experienced subjects.
Effects of Noise Intensity on Visual Target-Detection Performance
Authors: Warneb Harold D. , Heimstra Norman W.
Published: January 2017

The purpose of the present study was to determine the effects of continuous white noise on visual target-detection performance. The variables manipulated were noise-intensity level, display-difficulty level, and target location. Four noise levels were utilized: 0, 80, 90, and 100 db. The 0-db. level served as the control condition. Display difficulty was defined in terms of the number of nontarget, or background, display elements. Three levels of difficulty were used: 8, 16, and 32 background letter characters. The target locations examined were the central and peripheral regions of the visual display. Twenty subjects were tested under all conditions. Both detection time and detection error were recorded. The results indicated that noise-intensity and display-difficulty level were significantly interrelated with respect to detection speed but not to detection error.
The Bedroom
Authors: Parsons Henry Mcilvaine
Published: January 2017

The bedroom has hitherto escaped systematic human factors examination. In summarizing design-related research and development to date, this article first reviews each of the major and minor activities of bedroom users, particularly sleeping (including lying behavior), sexual activity, housekeeping, sitting, and observing. Then in similar fashion it looks at design characteristics, first of the bedroom environment, then of the bed. The former include size, sound, illumination, temperature, ventilation, decor, furnishings, and interroom relationships. Among the latter are bed coverings, length, width, height, space underneath, weight, capacity, location, construction of bedsteads, construction of mattresses, inclination, and of particular interest, firmness. Most of the research reported has been completely unknown to those in the human factors field. Needs for more research and development are obvious.
Methodology in Environmental Psychology: Problems and Issues
Authors: Proshansky Harold M.
Published: January 2017

Environmental psychology is an emerging interdisciplinary, problem-oriented field concerned with the interrelations among physical settings and human behavior and experience. The field is further defined in terms of the complexity of the events involved, the historical nature of space in relation to human behavior, and the cultural, social, and organizational definitions of physical settings. The properties of these problem areas as well as the inchoate nature of the field indicate that exploratory-descriptive studies in real-life settings should be undertaken. The measurement problem involves not just the validity of the measurement instruments, but also their “phenomenon legitimacy,” that is, the extent to which the properties of the response system of the instrument are consistent with those of the phenomenon under study. This concept is demonstrated in the use of conventional questionnaire-interview and observational techniques in environmental research. Questionnaire-interviews may not have “legitimacy” in such research if used to measure attitudes and values which do not exist or which have been formed in ways that the respondents are either unaware of or cannot verbalize. Similar methodological problems are involved in the use of conventional observational instruments. Finally, the severe limitations of the laboratory paradigm in light of the nature and present development of environmental psychology as a field of inquiry are pointed out.
The Assessment of Water Quality
Authors: Harris Douglas H.
Published: January 2017

The objectives of this study were: (1) to determine the methods employed by water treatment facilities to measure turbidity, color, and odor in water; (2) to estimate the variability of measures obtained routinely by the most commonly employed methods; and (3) to relate combinations of measured turbidity, color, and odor values to public acceptability of drinking water. The main end-products of the study were a set of cumulative distributions of water quality measurements and a family of water quality acceptance curves for combinations of turbidity, color, and odor values throughout the full range of public acceptability.
The Application of Link Analysis to Police Intelligence
Authors: Harper Walter R. , Harris Douglas H.
Published: January 2017

Link analysis procedures were developed and evaluated to aid law-enforcement agencies integrate collected information and develop hypotheses leading to the prevention and control of organized crime. The procedures were designed to portray the relationships among suspected criminals, to determine the structure of criminal organizations, and to identify the nature of suspected criminal activities. An experiment was conducted in which 29 teams of law enforcement intelligence analysts completed link analyses from information contained in identical data bases. The results compared favorably with criterion solutions prepared earlier. Subsequent field applications of link analysis by trained law enforcement officers confirmed the utility and potential value of these procedures.
The Weighing of Testimony in Judicial Proceedings from Sources Having Reduced Credibility
Authors: Schum David A.
Published: January 2017

Research on the relationship between the inferential impact of testimony and the credibility or reliability of sources or witnesses is summarized. Formal expressions are discussed which prescribe the nature of this relationship in certain well-defined cases. Also discussed are empirical studies which show that people typically do not degrade the impact of testimony in a manner consistent with the reliability of the sources of testimony. Attempts to improve inferences and decisions by decomposing the tasks performed are also summarized. Problems in applying such aiding techniques in judicial proceedings are discussed.
Quantitative Interpretation of Two Qualitative Scales Used to Rate Military Intelligence
Authors: Samet Michael G.
Published: January 2017

Thirty-seven intelligence officers completed two replications of tasks designed to investigate their subjective, quantitative interpretations of the source reliability and information accuracy (plausibility) rating scales. In judging a report, subjects were influenced much more by the accuracy rating of the report's content than by the reliability rating of the report's source. The mean probabilities assigned to the truth likelihood of reports described a linear relationship between rating level and probability for each scale. Most subjects were unable to treat reliability and accuracy independently; for these subjects, the higher a report's reliability rating, the higher the accuracy rating expected, and vice versa. Subjects were relatively consistent in their interpretations, but marked differences between subjects were observed. Structural inadequacies of the scales are pointed out and the development of a single-dimensional, quantitative scale is recommended.
Short-Type: A Behavioral Analysis of Typing and Text Entry
Authors: Schoonard James W. , Boies Stephen J.
Published: January 2017

This study evaluated a typing task which incorporated an encoding operation. This technique, called “short-type,” takes advantage of word repetition to reduce the number of keystrokes required to transcribe documents. Four typists were taught a list of abbreviations for frequently occurring words. Their subsequent task was to enter documents into a computer via a standard keyboard. Each time a word from the training list was detected, the corresponding abbreviation was to be typed in its place. It was found that: (1) over 93% of the to-be-abbreviated words were detected by the typists; (2) the error rate in selecting and typing abbreviations was no greater than the error rate in typing words which were not abbreviated; and (3) the substitution process did not adversely affect the keystroke rate. It was concluded that short-type is a practical technique in improving typing performance.
Using Fingerprint Measures to Predict other Anthropometric Variables
Authors: Zavala Albert , Paley James J.
Published: January 2017

The purpose of the study was to determine whether or not predictions could be made about personal appearance features of a crime suspect from that suspect's fingerprints left at a crime scene. Specifically, could one dtermine from a fingerprint whether it was: from the left vs. right hand; from a man vs. a woman; from a tall vs. a short person; a heavy vs. a slender person; a negro vs. a caucasian person. A series of multivariate statistical analyses was made, using a set of quantifiable fingerprint features, called Paley measures. Results of the study showed that the hand from which a fingerprint came could be predicted quite well, especially if the pattern of the fingerprint is a loop. The sex of the person from which a fingerprint came also showed promise of being able to be predicted. It was suggested that the study be repeated using a larger fingerprint sample to verify the findings of this study.
Measurement of Workload by Secondary Tasks
Authors: Ogden George D. , Levine Jerrold M. , Eisner Ellen J.
Published: January 2017

The post-1965 literature on the use of secondary tasks in the assessment of operator workload was surveyed. Twelve classes of tasks were identified; the most frequently used were choice reaction time, memory, monitoring, and tracking. The literature review did not suggest a single best task or class of tasks for the measurement of workload. Limitations in using secondary tasks are discussed, and directions for future research are presented.