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Dynamic decision-making of airline pilots in low-fidelity simulation
University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Psychology.ORCID iD: 0000-0002-3395-4180
Lunds universitet.
University of Gävle, Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, Department of Occupational Health Science and Psychology, Psychology.ORCID iD: 0000-0002-1386-5260
University of Gävle, Faculty of Engineering and Sustainable Development, Department of Building Engineering, Energy Systems and Sustainability Science, Environmental Science.ORCID iD: 0000-0002-9181-2084
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2021 (English)In: Theoretical Issues in Ergonomics Science, ISSN 1463-922X, E-ISSN 1464-536X, Vol. 22, no 1, p. 83-102Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Dynamic decision-making in aviation involves complex problem solving in a dynamic environment characterized by goal conflicts and time constrains. Training mostly focuses on testing domain-specific knowledge and skills that may result in context-specific rather than general problem-solving skills. A low-fidelity decision-making simulation may favour the understanding of the decision process rather than the decision outcome alone. We investigated airline pilots’ decision-making strategies and task performance through the use of the low-fidelity computer simulation (microworld) COLDSTORE, a non-linear, opaque, time-delayed task. Almost thirty percent of pilots adapted (Adaptors) to the task’s demands, reaching the desired objective. About thirty five percent of pilots approached the task using a cautious strategy (Cautious). However, the success rates in reaching the task’s objective revealed that performance was compromised for the cautious group. A changing (Changers) and oscillating (Oscillators) approach was also observed. More experienced pilots differed from least experienced pilots in strategy and performance adopted. We suggest that low-fidelity dynamic decision-making simulations offer an environment for practicing and understanding the decision-making process. That may contribute to pilots’ ability to coordinate monitoring, recognition, planning, judgement and choice when acting under flight environment time constraints.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Taylor & Francis , 2021. Vol. 22, no 1, p. 83-102
Keywords [en]
Dynamic decision-making, airline pilots, low-fidelity simulations, microworlds, instance-based learning theory
National Category
Psychology
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:hig:diva-32394DOI: 10.1080/1463922X.2020.1758830ISI: 000535432300001Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-85085489936OAI: oai:DiVA.org:hig-32394DiVA, id: diva2:1435008
Available from: 2020-06-04 Created: 2020-06-04 Last updated: 2023-06-26Bibliographically approved
In thesis
1. Pilots’ decision-making, emotions and cognitive performance in simulated environments
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Pilots’ decision-making, emotions and cognitive performance in simulated environments
2021 (English)Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

The aim of this thesis is to investigate pilots’ performances in distinct simulation environments as related to the phenomena of cognition, emotion and fatigue. By doing so, it provides psychological material to broaden the understanding and possibility to development of pilots’ non-technical skills category related to the operational context. The thesis examines these phenomena in two environmental settings, comprised of low- and high-fidelity context environments. Using a low-fidelity simulation (Study I), it investigates dynamic decision-making of commercial pilots. Next, using a high-fidelity environment (Studies II, III and IV), it investigates fatigue, cognition, emotion and its physiological associations in long-duration flight missions in a military context.   

Study I indicates that low-fidelity simulations can be beneficial for the understanding of the cognitive processes involved in dynamic decision-making of commercial pilots. The use of such simulations can aid pilots in recognizing useful information in an ill-defined problem, which is essential for a successful decision process. The development of pilots’ decision-making can be complemented by the use of low-fidelity simulations. This may contribute to dynamic decisions in the flight environment. 

Studies II, III and IV indicate that high-fidelity environments are required when evaluating the context in which assessment of individual psychological aspects demands high representational level to the natural environment. Long-duration single-piloted aircraft missions should consider that pilots might have decreased sustained attention, decrease in positive emotions and increase in negative emotions after approximately 7 hours into the mission. However, performance of more complex cognitive tasks may not be degraded in an 11-hours flight mission. Associations between heart rate variability and emotional ratings may indicate levels of physiological arousal. This may contribute to the assessment of overall psychological states of pilots in such context. This comprehensive assessment of pilots’ psychology in this environment may aid in pilots’ preparation and in the planning of long-duration missions.  

Taken together, the conclusions of this thesis indicate that a proper use of low- and high-fidelity simulations encourages pilots’ awareness on the necessity in adapting to changing circumstances. This promotes resilience, a fundamental constituent of safety.  

Abstract [sv]

Avhandlings syfte var att undersöka piloters prestationer i avgränsade simuleringsmiljöer och prestationens i relation till kognition, känslor, utmattning/trötthet och fysiologi. Studiernas resultat utökar förståelsen och möjligheten att utveckla piloters icke-tekniska färdigheter i en operativ kontext. De ingående studierna i avhandlingen undersöker dessa psykologiska fenomen i två olika miljöer, låg-kontextuell samt hög-kontextuell miljö. Med hjälp av en låg-kontextuell simulering (studie I) undersöktes dynamiskt beslutsfattande hos kommersiella piloter. Studie 2,3 och 4 genomfördes i en hög-kontextuellmiljö där utmattning, kognition och känslor studerades samt fysiologiska samband under långvarigt flyguppdrag i militärt sammanhang.

Studie I visade att låg-kontextuella-simuleringar är användbart för förståelsen av de kognitiva processerna som är involverade i dynamiskt beslutsfattande för kommersiella piloter. Användningen av sådana simuleringar kan hjälpa piloter att känna igen användbar information, vilket är viktigt för en framgångsrik beslutsprocess. Utveckling av piloters beslutsfattande kan kompletteras med användning av att låg-kontextuella-simuleringar och bidra till större säkerhet i dynamiska beslut i flygmiljön.

Studier II, III och IV indikerar att högkvalitativa miljöer krävs när man utvärderar det sammanhang där bedömning av individuella psykologiska aspekter kräver hög representationsnivå för piloters naturliga miljö. Vid långvariga flygningar på ensam hand gör det beaktas att piloter har minskad uppmärksamhet, lägre grad av positiva känslor och en ökning av negativa känslor efter cirka 7 timmar in i uppdraget. Emellertid försämras inte utförandet av mer komplexa kognitiva uppgifter under långa flyguppdrag. Resultaten visade även ett positivt samband mellan hjärtfrekvensvariation och självrapporterat känsloläge, detta kan bidra till bedömningen av övergripande psykologiska tillstånd hos piloter. Avhandling kan vara ett bidrag till bedömning av piloters psykologiska ansträngning i den praktiska miljön och kan vara till hjälp till att förbereda piloterna och planera långa uppdrag.

Sammantaget indikerar slutsatserna i denna avhandling att en korrekt användning av lågkontextuella och högkontextuella simuleringar ökar piloternas medvetenhet om behovet av att anpassa sig till förändrade omständigheter, vilket är en grundläggande del av säkerheten.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Gävle: Gävle University Press, 2021. p. 54
Series
Doctoral thesis ; 23
Keywords
aviation, pilot, simulation, environment, decision-making, fatigue, cognition, emotion, physiology, flyg, pilot, simulering, miljö, beslutsfattande, trötthet, kognition, känslor, fysiologi
National Category
Psychology (excluding Applied Psychology) Applied Psychology
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:hig:diva-35494 (URN)978-91-88145-69-7 (ISBN)978-91-88145-70-3 (ISBN)
Public defence
2021-06-15, 12:108, University of Gävle, Gävle, 09:30 (English)
Opponent
Supervisors
Available from: 2021-05-25 Created: 2021-03-26 Last updated: 2024-08-29Bibliographically approved

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Rosa, EduardoKnez, IgorLjung, RobertWillander, Johan

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