The effects of cold on human cognitive performance-implications for design

Many studies have looked at the physiological effects of sub-thermal temperatures and many conclusions are generally understood. However, there exists considerable debate as to whether cold environments affect human cognitive performance. It is investigated whether cold environments affect human information processing. Twenty subjects´ core body temperature (as measured tympanically) was dropped to 35.5°C and a performance assessment battery (PAB) of tests was administered as well as a similar PAB at room temperature. The PAB consisted of four tests (The Stroop Word-Colour test, a Working Memory test, a Signal Detection test and the Fitt´s Task) that represented the four major stages of information processing (perception, working memory, response selection and response execution). The results indicated that in fact, some stages of information processing were adversely affected when a reduced core body temperature was introduced , but caution is advised when considering the latter two stages. Attention was allocated to the distracting effects of the cold environment during the more difficult tasks but could be argued that cold focused attention on the simpler tasks as only limited attention was required. The method introduced in the present study should be considered in further investigations as attempts to standardise variables in such testing conditions continues. Finally, implications for the design of control systems are discussed