Heart rate response as indicator of mental strain: interaction of personality and situational factors.

ABSTRACT

Relation between mental strain defined as heart rate deviation score from person's baseline and persistence-excitation concept based on the Eysenck personality theory under various density information flow was investigated. Two groups the HPE(high EPQ-N and low EPQ-E score) and the LPE(low EPQ-N and high EPQ-E score) of a nuclear power plant operators were investigated under a monotonous condition (HPE 15 Ss; LPE12 Ss) and under a high density information flow condition (HPE 17Ss, LPE 15 Ss). The data support the view that the high persistence-low inhibition individual will be more mentally strained under high density information flow and that the level of strain will decelerate more slowly in comparison to persons with low persistence-high inhibition EPQ characteristics. The low persistence-high inhibition individuals will experience higher mental strain under monotonous situations. The findings suggest that the average EPQ-E and EPQ-N score might be useful criterion for selecting persons for tasks with alternatively monotonous and cognitively demanding situations.