The Quantification of Experimental Load: Methodological and Empirical Issues

Summary

One problem in psychological stress testing is that the load characteristics of an applied set of experimental conditions are difficult to evaluate. A second problem is that subjects can modify the characteristics of the test situation through their behaviour. Two solutions of these problems are suggested. Firstly, the manipulation of test conditions with respect to a single, common dimension (such as test difficulty); secondly, the individual standardisation of test situations with respect to a common dimensional variable. These approaches are illustrated in two experiments. The results suggest that both procedures are effective. It is possible to establish load conditions with specific quantitative characteristics (task difficulty) which are reflected by behavioural dependent variables. The way in which subjects cope with experimental tasks can then be evaluated through monitoring physiological and emotional parameters, which in this model are regarded as moderating variables.