Neuroscience of Cognitive Functions: From Theory to Applications

Humans are working in increasingly complex environments that place high demands on mental resources. This has motivated strong interest in characterizing the cognitive functions that contribute to human performance and capitalizing on advances in the behavioral and brain sciences to engineer effective strategies for enhancing work safety and productivity. The current chapter presents contemporary theories and principles of these cognitive functions from the perspective of psychology and neuroscience, and discusses opportunities and limitations of their applications in practical settings. Emphasis will be on five key concepts: mental workload, vigilance, mental fatigue, error detection, and creativity. Issues concerning noninvasive brain stimulation for cognitive augmentation are also discussed. With a deeper appreciation of the mechanisms underlying these cognitive functions, researchers can better identify potential avenues for developing novel ergonomic solutions.