248 



HUMAN BEHAVIOR PROGRAM 



Two-Hand Coordination Test — The purpose of this test was to measure eye-hand coordi- 

 nation. The test utilized a specially designed gear box, mounted on a stand four feet high (Fig. 

 102). On two sides of this box were knobs, 2 in. in diameter. These knobs were attached to 

 worm gears which produced movements in a peg protruding through the top of the box. Turning 

 the right-hand knob caused the peg to move forward and backwards; turning the left-hand knob 

 caused the peg to move left and right. One of nine templates could be placed on the top of the 

 box. In each template a track was cut. At the start of each test, the peg was positioned at the 

 end of the track. The task of the diver was to move the peg along the tracic from one end to the 

 other and return in as short a time as possible (Fig. 102). The elapsed time was recorded. 

 The tracks varied in difficulty; i.e., some had straight lines with right angles, others had 

 straight sloping lines, while still others had curved lines, such as an S. The test was selected 

 as being representative of tasks which require continuous control or adjustment of equipment, 

 dynamic systems, or vehicles. 



Fig. lOZ. Diver performing two -hand 

 coordination test in shallow -water 



Group Assembly Test — The purpose of this task was to observe the manner in which a 

 group of four men planned and carried out a task requiring the perception of complex spatial 

 reiationships and the cooperative assembly of components. The task required four divers to 

 cooperate in the assembly of a three-dimensional structure utilizing short lengths of 1/2-in. 

 pipe and appropriate connectors. A drawing showing the final assembly was provided to the 

 divers. The divers were asked to work out a plan of attack, prior to beginning assembly. The 

 time taken to execute the assembly was recorded. 



Sensory Tests — The sensory tests were chosen to gain knowledge of visual and auditory 

 functions and to determine specific answers of interest to the operational Navy. For a variety 

 of reasons (to be discussed later), several of the planned experiments were not carried out. 

 Those tests which were conducted are mentioned below. 



