Norman Mackworth

Norman H. Mackworth ( * 1917, † 2005) is a British psychologist and neuroscientist. He is known for his pioneering work and research in the field of cognitive functions, especially attention and alertness. Norman Mackworth inventions include the Mackworth Clock test.

Work and Life

Mackworth was considered an avid researcher of vigilance and began systematic studies in this subject area. During the Second World War, he was recruited by the RAF. He should explore the effectiveness of radar and sonar workers because weaknesses in the control monitoring were noted. Norman Mackworth found that the monotonous work, with the increasing duration leads on the radar to a greatly reduced vigilance. The workers on the radar already lost after 30 minutes about 10 to 15 percent of their efficiency. Mackworth tested the radar workers using its proprietary Mackworth Clock test. In 1951, Mackworth was Director of the Research Unit of Applied Psychology at the University of Cambridge, which he replaced Sir Frederick Bartlett. He remained in this position held for seven years.

Change of location and relevance of its research

1958 emigrated Norman Mackworth to Canada. He died in 2005, at an age of 88 years. Mackworth laid with his science a seminal basis. His findings are even today still used in brain research. Above all, his invention, the Mackworth clock that is used in many areas of neuropsychological research.