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58 Socially Intelligent Agents

Figure 6.2. Example of Specific Scenario Adaptation Sequence.

the pilot’s anxiety level, and modified selected cockpit instrument displays in
response to detected increases in anxiety levels. Several representative pilot
profiles were defined, varying in personality, physiological responsiveness,
training, individual history, and adaptation preferences, making it more or less
likely that the pilot would reach a specific level of anxiety during the mission.
Once an increased level of anxiety was observed, ABAIS predicted that the
heightened level of anxiety would cause narrowing of attention, an increased
focus on potentially threatening stimuli, and a perceptual bias to interpret am-
biguous radar signals as threats, thus risking fratricide. ABAIS therefore sug-
gested a compensatory strategy aimed at: 1) directing the pilot’s attention to a
cockpit display showing the recent status change; and 2) enhancing the relevant
signals on the radar to improve detection. Figure 6.2 illustrates these adapta-
tions (not easily visible in a black and white version of the figure). Specifi-
cally, the blinking, enlarged, blue contact icon on the HUD display indicates a
change in status. A blinking blue “RADAR” string displayed on the HUD, the
pilot’s current focus, directs the pilot to look at the radar display, which shows
an enhanced contact icon indicating a change in status, with details provided
in the text box in lower left corner of the display.

8:33 pm, Jan 21, 2005