Dual Task Methods of Assessing Work-load

Abstract Various applications and design factors of dual task situations are critically surveyed. It is concluded that many applications make questionable assumptions and that many frequently used features of design are unsatisfactory. However, the technique appears to be valid and useful for the study of individual differences in processing resources, when the additional task is secondary, presents discrete stimuli which impose constant load, is carried out at a forced pace and competes with the primary task for processing resources only.