VISUAL-ATTENTION - INDIVIDUAL-DIFFERENCES IN-TRAINING AND PREDICTING COMPLEX TASK-PERFORMANCE

Individual differences in visual attention were investigated as predic tors of performance on Space Fortress, a video game-like simulator of dynamic flight performance. One hundred and eight paid students comple ted a computer administered visual attention test and 10 hrs of Space Fortress in one of five randomly assigned training protocols. Attentio n scores predicted performance before and after training. Assignment i nto training protocol was also significantly related to performance bu t training failed to eliminate performance differences between high an d low visual attenders. Although training accounted for more variance, attention contributed significant incremental validity after training had been taken into account. The results support the assumption that performance on Space Fortress is determined in part by the skill of at tention. This assumption is critical in the use of Space Fortress for pedagogical research. The stability of the attention-performance relat ionship is also congruous with predictions for tasks that require subs tantial controlled processing.