Subjective Factors in Combat Simulation: Correlation between Fear and thePerception of Threat

摘要

The gap in realism between a simulator for training and actual combat conditionsis an issue requiring further attention. This preliminary study is the first part of a long term investigation aimed at developing quantitative methods for evaluating the effect of fear on combat performance. The relationship between subjective ratings of fear and the appearance and perception of threat were investigated using psychophysical experiments. It was found that fear was more strongly correlated with the perception of threat rather than the actual appearance of the threatening object. Data were used from experiments comparing observer ratings of a variety of animals known to evoke emotional responses in humans.