Visual search for drowning swimmers: Investigating the impact of lifeguarding experience

Summary How does domain expertise influence dynamic visual search? Previous studies of visual search often use search arrays that are devoid of applied context, with comparatively few studies exploring applied naturalistic and dynamic settings. The current research adds to this literature by examini...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Applied cognitive psychology 2021-01, Vol.35 (1), p.215-231
Main Authors: Laxton, Victoria, Crundall, David, Guest, Duncan, Howard, Christina J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Accidents
Aquatic Sports
Behavioral responses
Drowning
drowning detection
dynamic visual search
experience effects
Expertise
Eye Movements
Identification
lifeguard surveillance
Reaction Time
Safety
Search tasks
Swimming
Visual perception
Visual searching
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Summary:Summary How does domain expertise influence dynamic visual search? Previous studies of visual search often use search arrays that are devoid of applied context, with comparatively few studies exploring applied naturalistic and dynamic settings. The current research adds to this literature by examining lifeguard drowning‐detection across two studies using naturalistic, dynamic search tasks. Behavioural responses and eye‐movement data were recorded as participants watched staged video clips and attempted to identify if a swimmer was drowning. The results demonstrate lifeguard superiority in response times to drowning events, compared to non‐lifeguards. No differences between lifeguard and non‐lifeguard eye‐movements were noted however. This suggests that the experiential benefit in response times results from other underlying processes, rather than any scanning benefits. This research highlights the complex nature of naturalistic and dynamic searches, while demonstrating the robust nature of simulated videos in producing experience effects in visual search.
ISSN:0888-4080
1099-0720
DOI:10.1002/acp.3756