The Distributed Cognitive Components of C2

Distributed cognition Hutchins, 1995a is a theoretical framework that explains cognitive activities embodied and situated within the work setting and the artifacts used in the environment. Distributed cognition emphasizes the distributed nature of cognitive phenomena across individuals, toolstechnologies, and internalexternal representations. The unit of analysis goes beyond the cognitions of a single individual and focuses on the functional system as a whole. Distributed cognition examines the relation between individuals, the task environment, and artifacts used for task completion. Among some of the distributed cognitive attributes are 1 Coordination across agents 2 situation assessment 3 mental models 4 memory demands 5 adaptability and 6 workload management. Command Control C2 systems can greatly benefit when examined and analyzed as a distributed cognitive system through its emphasis on these cognitive attributes of the system. The theoretical and analytical implications of applying this approach to C2 systems will be discussed based on recent application and analysis to a series of C2 experiments.