Task complexity effects on between-individual learning/forgetting variability

Abstract This paper examines the effects of task complexity on the distribution of individual learning and forgetting parameters. Empirical data based on a set of manual tasks is examined to obtain knowledge about the effects of task complexity on the distribution of parameters of human learning and forgetting. Results indicate that task complexity significantly affects the variance of individual learning rates, forgetting rates, and steady-state productivity rates, where the variability of these parameters among individuals increase as task complexity increases. Knowledge about the effects of task complexity on individual learning and forgetting parameters will aid in simulation studies and in assigning workers to tasks of varying complexity as a part of productivity improvement efforts. Relevance to industry Understanding individual responses to production systems change provides managers and planners with better information for decision-making processes. Results of the current study have several potential benefits including: (1) aiding in the design of production simulations with heterogeneous workforces. (2) production estimation for new products where the new tasks are of different complexity than past tasks. (3) individual worker characterizations for worker-task assignment systems.