Can groups stave off fatigue? The effects of group monitoring upon fatigue induced cognitive impairment
Lead Research Organisation:
London South Bank University
Department Name: Fac of Arts and Human Sciences
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Daniel Frings (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Frings D
(2015)
The effects of low levels of fatigue on face recognition among individuals and team members
in Journal of Applied Social Psychology
Frings D
(2011)
The effects of group monitoring on fatigue-related einstellung during mathematical problem solving.
in Journal of experimental psychology. Applied
Frings D
(2012)
The effects of sleep debt on risk perception, risk attraction and betting behavior during a blackjack style gambling task.
in Journal of gambling studies
| Description | The following findings have been communicated during impact activities; 1) Individuals suffer from Einstellung (an over-reliance on previously identified but sub-optimal solutions) when fatigued. Groups are protected from Einstellung through group monitoring. 2) Both individuals and groups can differentiate between the risks of various bets when fatigued. However, they do not differentiate their behaviour on the basis of this input, thus engaging in more risky decision making overall. 3) Face recognition is slower amongst groups when they are fatigued. |
| Exploitation Route | In a non-academic context, these findings begin to provide evidence on how best to organise tasks which will be undertaken by fatigued workers. It suggests that team members should consult one another to avoid cognitive inflexibility, be aware of the effects of fatigue on risk tolerance and that, if working in a group, group members' performance should be accountable to others. This research provides a deeper understanding of both group processes and the effects of fatigue. Publication of the findings in international, peer reviewed journals such as Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied has helped guide future research into these topics area. In addition, comprehensive press coverage of the findings has heightened public awareness of the risks of fatigue. |
| Sectors | Healthcare |
| URL | http://www.danielfrings.net |
| Description | As one of few research projects to investigate the performance of both individuals and groups completing tasks while fatigued or reasonably alert, this research has had significant scientific impact. Specifically, it has added to our understanding of both group processes and fatigue. It has demonstrated that group membership can offset the effects of fatigue - for instance by reducing Einstellung (cognitive inflexibility) which affects fatigued individuals when problem solving. It has also shown that group membership can exacerbate the effects of fatigue (during face recognition, when group members are unable to communicate). This latter finding highlights a key boundary condition of the positive effects of groups (that group members must collaboratively rather than interdependently for group monitoring to be effective). The research has also provided novel insights into how fatigue operates on risky behaviour. Previous research has demonstrated that fatigue can lead to more risky decision making, but the underlying processes have been unclear. The current research shows that when fatigued, participants correctly identified that some bets are more risky than others, but did not modify their behaviour in line with changes in risk. This finding represents a significant step forward in the understanding of risky behaviour. As well as providing novel insights into a number of research domains, completion of this research has also helped develop methodologies for studying fatigued groups. Given the modest size of the grant, this scientific impact presents worthwhile return on the ESRC's investment. The following findings have been communicated during impact activities; 1) Individuals suffer from Einstellung (an over-reliance on previously identified but sub-optimal solutions) when fatigued. Groups are protected from Einstellung through group monitoring. 2) Both individuals and groups can differentiate between the risks of various bets when fatigued. However, they do not differentiate their behaviour on the basis of this input, thus engaging in more risky decision making overall. 3) Face recognition is slower amongst groups when they are fatigued. There have been a number of scientific impacts from the grant. The research findings have been communicated to the academic community through publication in high impact journals; (Journal of Experimental Psychology; Applied, impact factor 2.23, ranked 16 of 69 in Psychology-Applied journals) and also the Journal of Gambling Studies (impact 1.30, ranked 14 of 19 in Substance Abuse journals) and the Journal of Applied Social Psychology (impact 0.75, 48/60 in Social Psychology). Citations of these papers suggest that they may inform policy and practice as part of the general evidence base (e.g. they have been cited in papers on critical care transport, decisional aid utilisation and cycle safety papers. In addition to journal publication, the results have been disseminated at an invited talk to the Psychology Department at Goldsmiths University and during conference presentations to the Association of Behavioural Social Sciences in the USA and the European Association Social Psychology general meeting 2014. A briefing event was held which was attended by 20 officer cadets and their instructors. This outlined the theoretical rationale of the study, the methodology, results and practical implications of the research program in non-technical terms. This event provided the key-stakeholders of the research (ULTOC) with the key insights generated by the research In addition to this briefing, non-technical summary offer to ULOTC and has now been uploaded on the principle author's website for access by the general public. Public awareness of the risks of fatigue was raised through a media campaign. Coverage for the findings was received in print media (i.e. The Daily Mail, Indian Express) and online media. Online media coverage included national dailies (i.e. USAToday), popular news sites (i.e. Yahoo News.com) and numerous trade / specialist websites (e.g. USNewsHealth, sciencedaily.com). Combined circulation for this coverage is in excess of 3 million (23 million including YahooNews.Com). As a result of this coverage, hits to the principle author's website in the following four months totalled 4,832, up 67% from the same period the previous year. This suggests a significant number of people were exposed to the research's key findings. The current research investigates processes previously neglected by social science, and as such can be considered 'basic' research. This inherently limits the ability of the research to be translated into policy level impact. Despite this, significant social impact has been obtained at stakeholder level, and by raising awareness of the risks of making decision whilst fatigued amongst the general public. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2011 |
| Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Security and Diplomacy,Other |
| Impact Types | Cultural,Economic |
| Description | Briefing event for University of London Officers Training Corps (ULOTC) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This event disseminated the findings of the research to the stakeholder group (ULOTC). The theoretical basis, results and conclusions of the research were presented in a non-technical way to officer cadets and training staff. After the talk, participants reported increased understanding of the effects of fatigue during operations, and training managers expressed that they would convey the information to subsequent cohorts (e.g. the material would informally enter the curriculum) |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |