Analysis; *Task Performance

The relationship between variations in an auditory signal identification task and consequent changes in the abilities related to identification performance was investigated. Characteristics of the signal identification task were manipulated by varying signal duration and signal-to-noise ratio. Subjects received a battery of reference ability tests and then proceeded to perform the criterion task under the different experimental conditions. To determine the relationship between task characteristics and ability requirements, the reference battery was factor analyzed to identify a reference ability structure. The loadings of the various criterion task conditions on that structure were then estimated. The Auditory Perceptual ability was found most related to criterion task performance and increased in importance as background noise increased and signal duration decreased. Thus, these variations in task conditions produced changes in the degree of involvement but not in the patterning of the abilities required. Implications for predicting task performance are discussed. (Author /EH