Vigilance Performance modeled as a Complex Adaptive System

Abstract

This research has addressed the need for modeling human performance more realistically. It developed a computational model for vigilance performance, embedded in a new cognitive framework that utilizes recent advances in system neuroscience, evolutionary psychology, and complexity theory. A computational model of vigilance is needed —for example to simulate airport security screeners, radar screen operators, sonar operators, and intelligence analysts. The developed model allows the simulation of realistic human errors in monitoring tasks; it can thereby generate surprises in simulation programs that might show weaknesses of security systems. After studying human performance especially vigilance, experiments were conducted to establish correlations between personality and performance and to collect data for calibrating and validating the model. The robust model shows a reasonable range of individual behaviors and represents a tool well suited for gaining insights into vigilance theories. The insights can potentially be used to improve existing theories and monitoring procedures, minimizing errors that might lead to catastrophic outcomes