Measuring Mental Chronometry and Cognitive Efficiency through Discrimination Reaction Test for Acquired Reflexes – Case of Loco Pilots of Western Railway

Abstract

In this article 80 Loco Pilots of Indian Railways participated and screened for deployment on EMUs in Mumbai sub-urban as Motorman. Their mental chronometry and cognitive efficiency through discrimination reaction test (DRT) for acquired reflexes measured. Psycho motor performance of left, right hand and foot was studied while responding associated color signals. The mean reaction time was lowest in case of yellow color associated to left hand comparing to green and red color associated to right hand and foot respectively. The correlation coefficient of age and experience with DRT of participants was found positive but not statistically significant. The positive correlation coefficient in case of working experience and DRT is indeed a good sign of inert aptitude of train driving staff of the Indian Railways. Further, based on ‘t’ values, it can be concluded that the difference between DRT means for yellow, green and red color associated to hands and foot is significant at (p<0.01) level of significance. Results discussed at length and intervention to improve the DRT suggested.

Int. J. Soc. Sci. Manage. Vol-3, issue-2: 102-107