Multiple Object Tracking Ability, Working Memory Capacity and Individual Predictors of Complex Task Performance

Abstract

The ability to efficiently attend to multiple objects in the environment is important in everyday tasks and various occupations. Given research demonstrates individuals differ in their capacity to carry out this ability, multiple object tracking (MOT) tasks were designed to measure this ability. Limited research has investigated the predictive utility of a MOT task called NeuroTracker on complex task performance. The present study sought to extend this research by examining whether NeuroTracker was more predictive of participants’ performance on a simulated air traffic control (ATC) task than two working memory tests. The influence of other individual differences (age, gender and action video game experience) on task performance was also examined. Forty-seven participants (males = 38, females = 9) with a mean age of 28.7 years (SD = 9.10) completed the Randot Stereo Test, NeuroTracker, Corsi Block Tapping Task, OSPAN, ATC simulation, and a questionnaire. Regression analyses revealed NeuroTracker was predictive of four out of five ATC performance measures, making it more predictive than the working memory tests. Additionally, action video game experience was partially associated with ATC task performance, whereas no such effects were observed for age or gender. The study provides empirical support for the predictive utility of NeuroTracker.