Document Type : Original Article
Researcher
student
Ministerial Ethics Committee
The present study aims to investigate the impact of cognitive load and sensory stimuli (visual and auditory) on attention-shifting performance. Two theoretical frameworks are employed: the Theory of Visual Attention (TVA) as a computational model for analyzing selective visual processing, and the Diffusion Item Response Theory (diffIRT) model, which simultaneously accounts for response accuracy and reaction time. The main research instrument is the Rogers and Monsell task-switching paradigm, implemented in a computerized version that allows manipulation of cognitive load and sensory stimuli presentation.
This is an experimental within-subjects design, conducted on students aged 20–25 at Allameh Tabataba’i University. Data on reaction time and response accuracy under varying levels of cognitive load and sensory conditions will be collected and analyzed using R statistical software and related modeling packages.
The study is expected to contribute to a deeper understanding of the interaction between attention, cognitive load, and sensory stimuli, providing an innovative psychometric framework for analyzing cognitive processes. Furthermore, the findings may have practical implications for optimizing performance in high-stress environments such as air traffic control, medical surgery, and educational settings.