View source for Social:Psychomotor vigilance task

{{Short description|A psychometric test of attention}}
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A '''psychomotor vigilance task''' ('''PVT''') is a sustained-[[Philosophy:Attention|attention]], reaction-timed task that measures the consistency with which subjects respond to a visual [[Philosophy:Stimulus (psychology)|stimulus]]. Research indicates increased [[Biology:Sleep debt|sleep debt]] or sleep deficit correlates with deteriorated [[Biology:Alertness|alertness]], slower [[Problem solving|problem solving]], declined [[Engineering:Psychomotor learning|psychomotor skills]], and increased rate of [[False positives and false negatives|false responses]].

Use of PVT tests was championed by [[Biography:David F. Dinges|David F. Dinges]] and popularized by its ease of scoring, simple metrics, and [[Convergent validity|convergent validity]].<ref>Dinges, D. I, & Powell, J. W. (1985). Microcomputer analysis of performance on a portable, simple visual RT task sustained operations. Behavior Research Methods, Instrumentation, and Computers, 17, 652–655</ref> However, it was shown that [[Philosophy:Motivation|motivation]] can counteract the detrimental effects of sleep loss for up to 36 hours.<ref>Loh, Sylvia; Nicole Lamond, Jill Dorrian, Gregory Roach, Drew Dawson (May 2004). "The validity of psychomotor vigilance tasks of less than 10-minute duration." . Behavior research methods, instruments, & computers : a journal of the Psychonomic Society, Inc (University of South Australia, Woodville, Australia) 36 (2): 339–346. {{doi|10.3758/BF03195580}} . {{PMID|15354700}} . Retrieved 2011-06-09.</ref>
[[File:PEBL's Perceptual Vigilance Test (screenshot).jpg|thumb|Screen shot of PEBL's Perceptual Vigilance Test]]

==How it works==
The PVT is a simple task where the subject presses a button as soon as the light appears. The light will turn on randomly every few seconds for 5–10 minutes. The main measurement of this task is not to assess the reaction time ([[Physics:Mental chronometry|mental chronometry]]), but rather to see how many times the button is not pressed when the light is on {{Citation needed|date=July 2018}}. The purpose of the PVT is to measure sustained attention, and give a numerical measure of sleepiness by counting the number of lapses in attention of the tested subject.<ref>Walker, M. P. (2009, October 21). *Sleep Deprivation III: Brain consequences – Attention, concentration and real life.* Lecture given in Psychology 133 at the University of California, Berkeley, CA</ref>

==Where it has been used==
The Psychomotor Vigilance Self Test on the [[Astronomy:International Space Station|International Space Station]] (Reaction Self Test) provides the crewmembers with feedback on neurobehavioral changes in vigilant attention, state stability, and impulsivity. It aids crewmembers to objectively identify when their performance capability is degraded by various fatigue-related conditions that can occur as a result of ISS operations and time in space (e.g., acute and chronic sleep restriction, slam shifts, extravehicular activity (EVA), and residual sedation from sleep medications). The test is ideal for use in space flight because unlike other [[Philosophy:Cognitive test|cognitive test]]s, it is brief while being free of learning effects and aptitude difference that make interpretation of other measures difficult, as it has been successfully deployed in three NASA missions.<ref>Boen, B. (n.d.). International space station. Retrieved from [https://web.archive.org/web/20101110025059/http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/Reaction_Self_Test.html]</ref>

==Research==
Kaul et al. found that [[Philosophy:Meditation|meditation]] acutely improves psychomotor vigilance, and may decrease sleep need.<ref>
Meditation acutely improves psychomotor vigilance, and may decrease sleep need.
Prashant Kaul, Jason Passafiume, R C Sargent and Bruce F O'Hara.
Behavioral and Brain Functions 2010, 6:47 doi:10.1186/1744-9081-6-47</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=January 2013}}

==See also==
* [[Social:Psychological testing|Psychological testing]]
* [[Psychometrics]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Psychology experiments]]

{{Sourceattribution|Psychomotor vigilance task}}