Effects of Visual Cues and Task Prioritization on Recovering from Multiple Interruptions

Cunningham, Margaret (Author); The Catholic University of America (Degree granting institution); Clawson, Deborah (Thesis advisor); Adleman, Nancy (Committee member); Sebrechts, Marc (Committee member)

Degree Awarded: Ph.D. Psychology. The Catholic University of America

121

Psychology; Attention, Cognitive Psychology, Human Factors, Human Performance, Interruptions, Memory

http://hdl.handle.net/1961/cuislandora:64720

http://hdl.handle.net/1961/cuislandora:64720

Attention; Cognitive Psychology; Human Factors; Human Performance; Interruptions; Memory

2017-01-01T00:00:00Z

2017-01-01T00:00:00Z

Interruptions negatively impact performance, and are typically perceived as a nuisance. However, interruptions are also unavoidable in many workplaces and can have a positive impact on optimizing workflow according to task importance. Existing studies typically examine the impact of a single interruption on performance. These studies do not address the impact of multiple interruptions on performance in a way that reflects the challenges of remembering to resume multiple incomplete tasks. The present study used a computer-based administrative task to replicate the findings of Meadors (2014), and to expand upon those findings by adding two new variables. To replicate Meadors (2014), participants completed one set of tasks with no interruptions, one set of tasks with one interruption, and one set of tasks with multiple interruptions. The present study also introduced two new conditions that required completion of one set of tasks with multiple interruptions and a visual cue, and one set of tasks with multiple interruptions where each task had a priority rating. Overall, participants were more likely to make errors when they were interrupted, with multiple interruptions resulting in an even higher rate of error. Unexpectedly, participants made the most errors with the presence of a visual cue. Participants also reported higher levels of perceived workload when they were interrupted; with multiple interruptions generating the highest perceived workload scores and the lowest self-perceived performance scores. In addition, when tasks had a priority rating, participants were more likely to return to high priority tasks first, but they reported increased perceived effort when tasks had priority ratings. These results support the findings of Meadors (2014), and illustrate the disruptive nature of interruptions on performance, with both studies also demonstrating that multiple interruptions are more disruptive to performance than a single interruption. The present study also provided support for how people perceive the demands of interruptions, with more interruptions associated with a higher perceived workload even though the total number of tasks that needed to be completed remained the same.

Dissertation

Cunningham_cua_0043A_10823.pdf

The Catholic University of America

2017