Effects of Stress on Cognitive Performance and Resilience^*

In the resource-limited, time-critical, and consequential strategic environment in which the Space Force operates, achieving the highest possible levels of Guardian performance is essential. This paper presents novel research on human cognitive performance under stress relevant to our Armed Forces. In coordination with the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC), the authors report specific advances in support of basic research on the effects of stress on cognitive performance and resilience. Prior experimental results are analyzed to examine inter-individual performance stability (expressed through measures of robustness and resilience. The authors augment this analysis with signal detection theory (SDT) measures (e.g., d’), and compare existing data with newly collected fatigue information captured within a small-scale validation study at the US Air Force Academy. This project includes a novel experiment protocol that expands the trajectory of quantitative and model-based performance research under conditions of fatigue by connecting newly captured performance data with externally developed predictive models (e.g. ACT-R). Challenges in integrating quantitative models of fatigue into performance predictions, and recommendations for future efforts integrating signal detection theory into on-demand predictions of fatigue-induced performance declines are presented.