Training programs for inspection

The experiment reported here gives details of two training programs devised for a complex visual inspection task. They differed only in that one (active) required the trainee to make an active response at each stage, while the other (passive) did not. Task performance for 42 subjects in three age groups showed significantly better performance (fewer errors) with the active training program. The specific error types reduced by active training were those logically related to the training program. There was a significant age decrement in performance, but it was smaller in magnitude than the difference between training programs.