Analysis of PVA: How and Why

The team at SR LABS has introduced a battery of tests that, through the recording of eye movements, is able to measure personal visual attentiveness. This method was used in a preliminary study on a sample of VV.FF and university students.

The recording of eye movement can evaluate not only the functionality of the visual system and perception (for example, the ability to properly orient the gaze or to identify elements of a scene), but also the efficiency and quality of the attention process (e.g., the ability to maintain attention for a certain period of time) and so-called executive functions, such as knowing how to use strategies in performing tasks, or the ability to “keep at bay” the responses of automatic reflexes that, at times might be inappropriate for the situation.

In “high risk” profiles, among which there are certainly VV.FF., this ability is vital and must be highly efficient: they must perform tasks such as discriminating a target in a confusing context, or those which require high levels of attention, despite an elevated level of risk or danger. Decisions must be fast and accurate, the margin of error is minimal, and the level of stress is elevated.

The tests were conducted using the Tobii 1750 Eye Tracker. The software was designed by SR LABS and generates a score based on the map of all movements made in the time allotted for implementation, the number of movements required for each task and reaction time.