A Naturalistic Neurophysiological Assessment of Photographer Cognitive State in the Vicinity of Mount Everest

摘要

A number of cognitive studies support the notion that task focus and mental workload fluctuation in human perceptual activities can be modeled on a dynamic basis in near real time. Few of these studies, however, involve the use of wearable technologies in naturalistic settings. Fewer still do so under conditions of high physiological stress like those encountered on steep slopes at high altitude in foreign environments. This study compares the behavior and cognitive state of photographers climbing to and descending from the vicinity of Everest Base Camp at altitudes approaching 18,000 feet. Ascent and descent activities were compared in terms of overall task engagement, cognitive workload, and behavioral components of the point and shoot decision paradigm involved in adventure photography. Results are discussed in the context of decision-making behavior typically associated with wilderness search and rescue activities carried out at high altitude in environmentally challenging environments.