Expert

Male

Early 30s

Has played for ~6 years

Raids twice a week for 3 hours

Introduction & Discussion

Subject 2 produced a seemingly unusual signal - with the exception of a few immediate spikes (the likely effect of shifting the sensor on the skin), the signal is one of regular, steady increase over the course of about three hours. The subject had reported being tired and feeling crummy at the beginning of the session, which has been known to create similar signals, according to an expert consultant. The subject had another potential reason to show this signal as well, which is that the raid ended up requiring him to step out of his particular expertise and perform a new role for the last two-thirds of the evening. He was displeased about this, reporting, "I might has well have not been there for the last two hours." While not being able to demonstrate his expertise, he also did not have the opportunity to do any learning of his new role while figuring it out on the fly. Experts in World of Warcraft frequently adapt to new roles through a combination of consultation with outside sources and in-game trial and error. The raid's focus on moving forward quickly did not provide the opportunity to consult outside sources and the subject's own general misery prevented him from anything more than a nominal effort to understand his new role.