Indirect Visual Displays: Influence of Field-of-Views and Target-Distractor Base-Rates on Decision-Making in a Search-and-Shoot Task

In search-and-shoot tasks, the organization of the scene area visible to the decision-maker (field-of-view; FoV) and the ratio of enemy targets to distractors present in the scene (target-distractor base-rate) are likely to influence human decision-making. However, currently, little is known about how these factors influence an individual's decision-making and cognition. In this paper, using a two-dimensional flat screen display (indirect visual display; IVD) and a complex search and-shoot simulation, we investigated the influence of two field-of-views (FoVs; 180° x 2 FoV and 90° x 4 FoV) and two target-distractor base-rates (80%-20% and 20%-80%). A total of 25 participants executed all the four FoV and base-rate scenarios in a random order. In 80%-20% base-rate, performance was better in the 180° x 2 FoV compared to the 90° x 4 FoV. However, in the 20%-80% base rate, performance was better in the 90° x 4 FoV compared to the 180° x 2 FoV. Overall, irrespective of the FoV, the performance was superior in the 80%-20% base-rate compared to the 20%-80% base rate. Furthermore, the FoVs and base-rates influenced self-reported mental demand, frustration level, and effort. We highlight the implications of our results towards training personnel in the IVD technology.