Research Areas

Research Topics

• Skill Acquisition
Adaptive skill in complex domains (e.g. aviation piloting)
Cognitive mechanisms of skill development
• Cognitive Neuroscience (fMRI)
Neural correlates of strategic skill acquitision and transfer
• Computational Models of Cognition

Currently Funded Research

• Biologically-based Training for Adaptive Multitasking Strategies
PI: Dr. Stephanie Doane
Co PI: Dr. Jarrod Moss
ONR Grant #: N00014-10-1-0491
• Abstract
To achieve optimal operational success, our force must respond quickly, perform multiple tasks concurrently, and utilize strategies adaptively in dynamically changing environments. In order to design training programs that promote adaptive warrior performance, we must first understand the cognitive mechanisms that support development and utilization of adaptive strategic skills. This research uses a cognitive neuroscience framework to research biologically based training methods that serve to optimize the acquisition and transfer of adaptive multitasking strategic skills. Theory-driven experiments will lead to the modification of a test of multitasking ability for use in an fMRI environment. fMRI studies performed during multitasking performance will be used to track biological changes that take place as a learner acquires and adapts multitasking skills. Findings will inform the development and testing of training methods designed to optimize sailor adaptive multitasking strategic skills for the 21st Century Navy. The objective of this research is to (1) assess and train adaptive multitasking ability in an fMRI task environment, (2) perform biological tracking of learner skill acquisition from novice (i.e., Controlled processing) to expert (i.e., Automatic processing), and (3) use biologically based methods to develop and test training tools that optimize acquisition of adaptive multitasking strategic skills.

• Advanced Naval Power Systems Through Electric Ship Systems Research and Development
Co-PI (PI of HSI Research): Dr. Stephanie Doane
ONR Grant #: N00014-08-1-0080

• Abstract
Navy operational environments require sailor processing of power system information, and real time power system reconfiguration through use of human systems. Developing design principles for human systems that facilitate sailor power systems management has direct relevance to the Navy. The purpose of this research is to directly examine a) the impact of decision support systems on the quality of real time power system reconfigurations made using a human systems interface, and b) design principles for human systems that facilitate sailor understanding of power resource allocation performed by intelligent agents. Our approach is to quantitatively measure the impact of human systems design on power system management and human-agent interactions. The overall goal is to optimize optimizing future sailor operational performance through the design of effective human systems.

• Investigation of Distributed versus Centralized Control of Power Electronic Converters in a Naval Test System
Co-PI (PI of HSI Research): Dr. Stephanie Doane
ONR Grant #: Awarded Number Pending

• Abstract
Shipboard energy management systems and platforms of the future will require sailor monitoring in collaboration with intelligent agents. Sailors must monitor resource problems and diagnose their origins and symptoms and resolve the issues in collaboration with agents. In order to accomplish optimal collaborative energy system management, human systems interfaces must be designed to take into account human performance limitations and how these limitations interact with technological system requirements. This research focuses on the design, testing, and evaluation of a human systems interface that serves to optimize the collaborative human and intelligent agent management of energy systems in real time. The interface will serve as the "front end" of the multi-agent system developed for the NSWCCD testbed system.



Select Previously Funded Research

• Tutoring Real-Time Complex Dynamic Task Performance
PI: Dr. Stephanie Doane
ONR Grant #: N00014-02-1-0152
• Abstract
The present research uses a cognitive theory-driven approach to explore training opportunities in ADAPT, a Construction-Integration based cognitive model that has been transitioned to serve as a real-time intelligent tool for tutoring instrument flight skills. The ADAPT model has been demonstrated capable of predicting individual novice, intermediate, and expert pilot simulated instrument flight performance (Doane & Sohn, 2000). In addition, ADAPT has learning mechanisms to acquire both procedural and declarative knowledge. These mechanisms have demonstrated capable of predicting individual student learning from a computer-based tutor for computer command skills (Doane & Sohn, 2000; Sohn & Doane, 2002). For purposes of experimental tractability, a synthetic task (simulated instrument flight) has been chosen. This task preserves much of the structure of a real-world task like instrument flight but is simplified to enable us to complete this research with a relatively small budget. Previous ONR funds were used to modify ADAPT to facilitate real-time data logging, knowledge inferencing, simulation, and tutoring. This enabled modeling phenomena such as the incorporation of instruction, acquisition of attentional focus, and increased parallelism among perception, cognition, and action. In the present effort, we will explore training opportunities offered by such a learning simulation. In particular, we will experimentally research the use of agent-based instruction for tutoring real-time complex task performance. This effort will provide a prototype of how to use a learning simulation to improve training of real-time dynamic tasks, a critical need for a broad range of 21st Century Navy aviator jobs.


• Optimizing Multimodal Strategic Processing
PI: Dr. Stephanie Doane
ONR Grant #: N00014-06-1-0116
• Abstract
Many Navy operational environments require fast and accurate sailor processing of multimodal signals through use of a human systems interface. Developing design principles for multimodal interfaces and training procedures that facilitate optimal (i.e., "strategic") processing has direct relevance to the Navy. The purpose of this research is to directly examine factors that facilitate the acquisition, transfer, and modification of strategic multimodal processing skills. To accomplish this goal, we are exploring contextual factors such as the frequency and duration of performance feedback and optimal timing for introducing varied levels of discrimination difficulty during training. The theoretical objective of this research is to further our understanding of the cognitive mechanisms that support optimal human performance in multimodal task environments. The applied objective is to inform engineering design principles for human systems that will support optimal warrior performance in 21st century Naval multimodal operational task environments. Our experimental approach is designed to 1) determine the mechanisms that support the acquisition of strategic discrimination skills in one modality (e.g., visual), and their transfer to another (e.g., auditory), and 2) test the impact of strategic skill optimization on task performance in a simulated operational task environment.


• Selection Measures for Team Process Skill Acquisition and Adaptation
PI: Dr. Stephanie Doane
ONR & NPRST Grant #: Battelle NPRST TCN 08119
• Abstract
This project uses a psychological framework to study the impact of individual differences in cognitive and non-cognitive abilities on the acquisition and adaptation of team process skills. Theory-driven experiments assess individual differences in cognitive abilities, team process skills acquisition and adaptation, and multitasking skill. Team process skill acquisition and adaptation are measured as participants perform team tasks in computer-based interactive environments. Team process adaptation is measured through experimental manipulations designed to disrupt team processes following a fixed number of team task sessions. Results obtained suggest the role of individual differences in multitasking ability in team performance in routine and adaptive situations. Additional findings suggest the functional biology of individual differences in multitasking. Results from this research will facilitate a) expansion of measures used to select sailors to serve in the 21st Century Navy and will provide information useful for b) classification of sailors into jobs that will require team-intensive skills and c) structuring teams that require team process adaptation skills.
• Optimizing Strategic Visual Processing
PI: Dr. Stephanie Doane
ONR Grant #: N00014-03-1-0088

• Abstract
Learning to discriminate between visually displayed objects is an important aspect of human performance. The proposed research uses a cognitive theory-driven approach to examine the role of strategic processes in attending to relevant features while visually discriminating between displayed objects. Previous research suggests that, initially, humans acquire processing strategies that reduce the number of redundant comparisons required for accurate discriminations. With practice, the strategy becomes more efficient by elimination of redundant and unnecessary comparisons (e.g., Haider & Frensch, 1999). Previous research results suggest that initially acquired strategies can be transferred to novel stimiluli (e.g., Doane et. a., 1999). Such findings support the hypothesis that initially acquired strategies are born from processing specific stimuli but are not tied to these stimuli per se; they are stimulus independent and as such can be transferred to processing novel stimuli. However, the transfer findings also suggest that strategies are transferred regardless of their effectiveness for discriminating between novel stimuli and that, once acquired, they are difficult to modify (e.g., Doane e al., 1999). Previous research does not address the precise nature of the strategies acquired. Instead, past research has indirectly inferred the nature of the strategies from accuracy, reaction time, and memory data. In addition, previous research has not addressed the factors that facilitate strategic modifications when changes in discrimination context render previously acquired strategies ineffective. The proposed research uses digital eye-tracking technology to provide direct evidence of the nature of the visual processing strategies acquired and transferred, and to explore task contextual factors that influence their modification. Among the factors to be examined are the frequency and duration o fperformance3 feedback during transfer and how the timing of exposure to variable discrimination task contexts influences the malleability of acquired strategic skills. In addition, a computational model of cognition (ADAPT, Doane, et al., 2000a; 2000b) will be used to model individual eye movements and discrimination performance during strategic skill acquisition and transfer. The ability of the model to describe and predict individual eye scans and discrimination performance will be assessed, and used to inform a more precise theory of strategic skill acquisition. The theoretical contribution of this work is to further our understanding of the role of strategic versus stimulus-specific processes in learning to visually discriminate between objects in the environment. The findings from this research may transition into augmented cognition, where a cognitive system can "monitor" eye fixations and performance and provide information that optimizes operator performance.

• Instructor-Student Interaction Dynamics
PI: Dr. Stephanie Doane
ONR Grant #: N00014-02-1-0152

• Abstract
Optimizing warrior performance in dynamically changing tactical environments requires training for adaptation. Our force must be quick to respond, flexible in their methods, and able to adapt to dynamically changing environments in real time. In order to design platforms, weapons and training programs that promote warrior adaptation, we must first understand the cognitive mechanisms that support adaptive warrior cognition and action. One goal of ONR’s cognitive science program to determine the cognitive mechanisms that govern training. The overarching goal of training research is to use human learning and performance evidence in the development and evaluation of theories of human learning. This in turn provides a scientific basis for predictive human engineering of embedded cognitive tutors that train optimal human performance in complex systems such as aviation cockpits. The present initiative will examine cognitive mechanisms that govern the dynamics of instructor-student interactions (ISI) during actual flight performance. Specifically, human flight instructors and flight students will perform flight maneuvers in a real aircraft. Instruction sessions will be videotaped. Of particular interest are the ISI dynamics during actual flight. The ISI will be analyzed to determine what aspects are crucial for optimizing adaptive warrior training. The results ill inform the design of the ISI for a real-time cognitive tutor for piloting aircraft. The budget for this effort includes funds to pay for flight instructors as consultants, flight time, and subject hours. This effort will facilitate design of a prototype of how to use a cognitive tutor to improve training of real-time dynamic tasks, a critical need for a broad range of 21st Century Navy aviator jobs.

• Individual Differences in Team Performance in Interactive Task Environments
PI: Dr. Gary Bradshaw, Dr. Stephanie Doane, Dr. Marty Giesen
Funded by the University of Mississippi

• Abstract
This research uses a psychological framework to study the impact of individual differences in cognitive and non-cognitive abilities on team performance. Cognitive and social psychology theory-driven experiments assessed individual differences in cognitive and non-cognitive abilities and relate them to a) individual performance on dynamic, interactive team tasks and b) team task performance as a whole. This research expanded measures used to select sailors to serve in the 21st Century Navy and provided information useful for classification of sailors into jobs that will require team-intensive skills and for structuring teams according to team-member abilities.

Projects in Progress

• Functional Connectivity