Mnemonic Processing in Air Traffic Controllers: Effects of Task Parameters and Work Organization

Claudine Mélan (1) , Edith Galy (2) , Magali Cariou (1)

1 CLLE-LTC - Cognition, Langues, Langage, Ergonomie
2 LAPCOS - Laboratoire d'Anthropologie et de Psychologie Cliniques, Cognitives et Sociales

In real traffic conditions, air traffic controllers rated alertness and tension according to time of day (recordings every 6 hr) and time on duty (1st vs. 2nd half of afternoon shifts). The 2 measures were inversely correlated on the 2nd shift half, suggesting a compensatory effect of increased tension on decreased alertness. Task performance was decreased at 7:00, overall in a free recall task, and according to list length (9-vs. 6-item) and presentation modality (visual vs. auditory) in a recognition task. The data suggest that changes in controllers' memory processes with time of day depend on the processing strength induced by task characteristics.

Domaines: Psychologie; Neurosciences

Claudine Mélan, Edith Galy, Magali Cariou. Mnemonic Processing in Air Traffic Controllers: Effects of Task Parameters and Work Organization. International Journal of Aviation Psychology, 2007, 17 (4), pp.391-409. ⟨10.1080/10508410701527886⟩. ⟨halshs-01612862⟩