A Behavioral Analysis of an Assembly Line Inspection Task

The problem of sustained efficiency in monotonous perceptual tasks is particularly pertinent to industrial inspection. The present research has extended Holland's techniques of behavioral analysis to an industrial framework by analyzing the assembly-line inspection of products. By utilizing four basic schedules of defective product (fixed ratio, variable ratio, fixed interval, and variable interval), it was demonstrated that the detection of defectives can serve as reinforcements for observing behavior. In addition, the vigilance decrement associated with the inspection task was shown to be a function of the differential reinforcement of observing responses. The fact that a rather precise control can be exerted by the environment over the operator's observing behavior has important implications for industry. Some of these implications are discussed.

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