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Prospective memory while driving: Comparison of time- and event-based intentions
Trawley, Steven L. Stephens, Amanda N. Rendell, Peter G. Groeger, John A.
Trawley, Steven L.
Stephens, Amanda N.
Rendell, Peter G.
Groeger, John A.
Abstract
Prospective memories can divert attentional resources from ongoing activities. However, it is unclear whether these effects and the theoretical accounts that seek to explain them will generalise to a complex real-world task such as driving. Twenty-four participants drove two simulated routes while maintaining a fixed headway with a lead vehicle. Drivers were given either event-based (e.g. arriving at a filling station) or time-based errands (e.g. on-board clock shows 3:30). In contrast to the predominant view in the literature which suggests time-based tasks are more demanding, drivers given event-based errands showed greater difficulty in mirroring lead vehicle speed changes compared to the time-based group. Results suggest that common everyday secondary tasks, such as scouting the roadside for a bank, may have a detrimental impact on driving performance. The additional finding that this cost was only evident with the event-based task highlights a potential area of both theoretical and practical interest.
Keywords
prospective memory, delayed intentions, distractions, virtual environment, driving simulator, driving
Date
2017
Type
Journal article
Journal
Ergonomics
Book
Volume
60
Issue
6
Page Range
780-790
Article Number
ACU Department
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
File Access
Controlled