Workload
This is because the same underlying task might generate two distinct mental responses and experiences, thus, different cognitive load amounts, even if executed by the same person.
[2] A more recent and operational definition is that "Mental workload (MWL) represents the degree of activation of a finite pool of resources, limited in capacity, while cognitively processing a primary task over time, mediated by external stochastic environmental and situational factors, as well as affected by definite internal characteristics of a human operator, for coping with static task demands, by devoted effort and attention".
Workload can also refer to the total energy output of a system, particularly of a person or animal performing a strenuous task over time.
One particular application of this is weight lifting/weights training, where both anecdotal evidence and scientific research have shown that it is the total "workload" that is important to muscle growth, as opposed to just the load, just the volume, or "time under tension".
As engines are more mechanically perfect than animals' muscles and do not fatigue similarly, they will conform much more closely to the formula that if you apply more load, they will do less work, and vice versa.
Workload has been linked to a number of strains, including anxiety, physiological reactions such as cortisol, fatigue,[5] backache, headache, and gastrointestinal problems.
[8] A 2019 survey by Cartridge People identified workload as the main cause of occupational stress.
A more generally applicable operational definition of workload is that "Mental workload (MWL) represents the degree of activation of a finite pool of resources, limited in capacity, while cognitively processing a primary task over time, mediated by external stochastic environmental and situational factors, as well as affected by definite internal characteristics of a human operator, for coping with static task demands, by devoted effort and attention".
Another aspect of workload is the mathematical predictive models used in human factors analysis to support the design and assessment of safety-critical systems.
Wickens' (1984) multiple resource theory (MRT) model [12] is illustrated in figure 1: Wickens' MRT proposes that the human operator does not have one single information processing source that can be tapped but several different pools of resources that can be tapped simultaneously.
Wickens' theory views performance decrement as a shortage of these different resources and describes humans as having limited capability for processing information.
A sustained low workload (underload) can lead to boredom, loss of situation awareness and reduced alertness.
Changing gear and steering are two conflicting tasks (i.e. both require the same resources) before they are integrated into the new skill of "driving".
This model integrated the theories of Wickens, McCracken and Aldrich and Hopkins to produce a model that not only predicts the workload for an individual task but also indicates how that workload may change given the experience and training level of the individuals carrying out that task.
Workload assessment techniques are typically used to answer the following types of questions: Eisen, P.S and Hendy, K.C.
(1987): It is well accepted that there is a relationship between the media by which information is transferred and presented to a decision maker and their cognitive workload.
Therefore, the balance between the different information channels (most commonly considered visual processing and auditory, but could also include haptic, etc.)
