Research Activities
UWF Human Factors Psychology Laboratory

Driver Distraction Research

Driving simulator used to study effects of cell phones or other distractors on performance

Sopite Research

Optokinetic drum used to induce vection (self-perception of motion). 

Click here to play movie and experience the inside of the drum.

Thesis student demonstrating the Rotator.             Eliciting sopite in a subject wearing prism goggles.

Augmented Cognition Research

  Human Factors graduate student running an IHMC experiment funded by DARPA.  We are recording data on 128 channel EEG, EKG, EMG, EDR, eye-tracking, and heart rate variability.  Eventually, a system will be developed using a subset of these physiological measures that will sense when an operator is overloaded so that the computer can take some of the load off through automation and allow the operator to focus on important decision making tasks.

Research Areas

Spatial Abilities

Situation Awareness (slide presentation)

- Situation awareness involves the ability to recognize, interpret, and integrate key patterns in the environment to accurately assess one’s current status and projection of future status. Good situation awareness allows one to react quickly in making crucial decisions. While situation awareness has been studied extensively in the military, this concept applies equally well to other environments such as driving and sports.

Haptic Responses to Visual-Spatial Stimuli (w/ NAWCTSD)

                - Due to verbal mediation, it is believed that perceptions that are often reported inaccurately, though the perception itself may be accurate.  A more directly mapped response (psychomotor) may alleviate this problem.  The idea is being tested for the task of submarine periscope operator.

Vibrotactile Displays for Spatial Awareness (w/ IHMC)

                - In situations where visual attention is diverted and/or under high cognitive workload, pilots may get spatially disoriented.  A vibrotactile display is being tested to provide pilots spatial information through the relatively underutilized medium of tactile information.

Virtual Environments

                - Virtual environments (VE) and virtual reality are relatively new techological advances in training.  Because of this, we currently know very little about their effectiveness or best use for training.  One area of interest is to investigate mental maps of spaces visited only in VE transfer to the real spaces.

Sopite Syndrome

Sopite Syndrome Scale (w/ NAMRL)

                - Individuals experience different reactions to motion.  Many people feel sick or nauseated while riding on a boat or amusement rides.  However, motion may also lead to feelings of sleepiness (e.g., a baby rocking in a swing).  This is called Sopite Syndrome and is a particularly dangerous reaction to motion for pilots.  A scale is being developed to identify when someone may be experiencing the symptoms of Sopite Syndrome.

Human Factors and Aging

Attibuting the Cause of Mishaps Involving the Elderly (UWF Small Grant)

                -  According to Fundamental Attribution Error, when attributing the cause of an accident, observers are likely to overemphasize the impact of the characteristics of the person involved, rather than the circumstances surrounding the event.  Though this is a common error, this may be particularly dangerous for some members of the population.  For instance, if an elderly person is involved in a serious mishap with a piece of equipment, we are likely to overemphasize stereotypical aspects of the elderly, and dismiss the fact that the equipment may be inadequately designed for this portion of the user population.

Boredom

The Relationship Between Boredom Proneness, Vigilance, and Attention Deficit Disorder

                - The ability to maintain attention for long periods of time (i.e., vigilance) is importance for performing many tasks, such as truck driver, assembly line worker, air traffic control, etc.  Some individuals may be at a disadvantage for performing these types of task.  For instance, vigilance tasks may be expected to be particularly difficult for individuals who are prone to boredom or have been diagnosed with attention deficit disorder (ADD).  This study is examining whether vigilance performance can be predicted by scores on paper and pencil measures of boredom proneness and ADD.

Selected Research Articles

Kass, S. J., Cole, K. S., & Stanny, C. J. (2007). Effects of distraction and experience on situation awareness and simulated driving.  Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 10, 321-329.

Beede, K. E. & Kass, S. J., (2006). Engrossed in conversation: The impact of cell phones on simulated driving performance.  Accident Analysis and Prevention, 38, 415-421.

Vodanovich, S. J., Wallace, J. C., & Kass, S. J., (2005). A confirmatory approach to the factor structure of the Boredom Proneness Scale: Evidence for a two-factor short form.  Journal of Personality Assessment, 85, 295-303.

Kass, S. J., Wallace, J. C., & Vodanovich, S. J. (2003). Boredom proneness and sleep disorders as predictors of adult attention deficit. Journal of Attention Disorders, 7, 83-91.

Rotunda, R. J., Kass, S. J., Sutton, M. A., & Leon, D. T. (2003). Internet use and misuse: Preliminary findings from a new assessment instrument. Behavior Modification, 27, 484-504.

Diamond, D. D., Kass, S. J., Andrasik, F., Raj, A. K., and Rupert, A. H. (2002). Vibrotactile cueing as a master caution system for visual monitoring. Human Factors and Aerospace Safety, 2, 339-354.

Hays-Thomas, R. & Kass, S. J. (2003). Integrating classroom knowledge and application through the industrial/organizational psychology internship. Teaching of Psychology, 30, 69-70.

Wallace, J. C., Kass, S. J., & Stanny, C. J. (2002). The cognitive failures questionnaire revisited: Dimensions and correlates. Journal of General Psychology, 129, 238-256.

Kass, S. J., Vodanovich, S. J., & Callender, A. (2001).  State-trait boredom: Relationship to absenteeism, tenure, and job satisfaction. Journal of Business and Psychology, 16, 317-327.

Kass, S. J., Vodanovich, S. J., Stanny, C. J., & Taylor, T. M. (2001). Watching the clock: Boredom and vigilance performance. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 92, 969-976.

Wallace, J. C., Kass, S. J., & Stanny, C. (2001). Predicting performance in ‘Go’ situations: A new use for the cognitive failures questionnaire. North American Journal of Psychology, 3, 481-490.

Kass, S. J., & Ahlers, R. H. (1998).  To VE or not to VE?  A comparison of two VE technologies for training. Proceedings of the 42nd Annual Meeting of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, 1437-1441.

Kass, S. J., Ahlers, R. H., & Dugger, M. (1998).  Eliminating gender differences through practice in an applied visual spatial task.  Human Performance, 11, 437-449.

Raj, A. K., Kass, S. J., & Perry, J. F. (2000).  Vibrotactile displays for improving spatial awareness.Proceedings of the International Ergonomics Association XIV Triennial Congress / 44th Annual Meeting of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (1), 181-184.

Kass, S. J., Hughes, S. C., Stanny, C., & Behan, B. (2000).  Haptic reports of angle perception:  A new twist.  Proceedings of the International Ergonomics Association XIV Triennial Congress / 44th Annual Meeting of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (6), 120-123.

Kass, S. J., Herschler, D. A., & Companion, M. A. (1991). Training situational awareness through pattern recognition in a battlefield environment. Military Psychology, 3, 105-112.

Vodanovich, S. J., & Kass, S. J. (1990).  A factor analytic study of the boredom proneness scale.  Journal of Personality Assessment, 55, 115-123.