Method and system for estimating a demand or an attentional cost associated with the execution of a task or attention sharing strategies developed by an individual

A method for estimating an attentional demand or cost associated with the execution of a task or of an attention sharing strategy developed by an individual, the said method being implemented in a mobile terminal and being based on the use of the multi-task paradigm, characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

• a) Evaluation of first performance ratings of the individual during the execution of at least one primary task, the evaluation step including the sub-steps consisting in:
• Generating a first type of visual and/or audio and/or touch-sensitive information on the terminal, the said information including instructions relating to the primary task to be carried out,
• Measuring a plurality of first data values during the execution of the primary task,
• Determining an actual movement of the individual with processing means of the mobile terminal, the actual movement being determined based on the measured first data values during the execution of the primary task,
• b) Evaluation of second performance ratings of the individual during the execution of at least one secondary task, the evaluation step including the sub-steps consisting in:
• Generating a second type of visual and/or audio and/or touch-sensitive information on the terminal, the said information including instructions relating to the secondary task to be carried out,
• Collecting second data values representing the response of the individual during the execution of the secondary task,
• c) Evaluation of third performance ratings of the individual during the simultaneous execution of the primary task and of the secondary task, the evaluation step including the sub-steps consisting in:
• Generating a third type of visual and/or audio and/or touch-sensitive information on the terminal, the said information including instructions relating to the simultaneous execution of the primary and secondary tasks,
• Measuring third data values relating to the execution of the primary and secondary tasks,
• d) Comparison of the first, second and third performance ratings evaluated during the steps a) to c):
• for estimating the attentional demand required for the execution of the primary task and/or
• for estimating the effect (beneficial or negative) of a secondary task on the control mechanisms involved in the execution of the primary task and/or
• for estimating an attention sharing strategy developed by the individual.