Aviation Psychology Second Edition Test 1 Study Guide

A comprehensive set of Q&A flashcards covering Chapter 1–4 topics from the Aviation Psychology study guide, designed to test key concepts and terminology.

What is psychology and what are its goals?

The science of behavior and mental processes; goals include describing, predicting, and understanding behavior and mental processes.

What is Aviation Psychology and its goals?

The study of human factors in aviation to improve safety, performance, and efficiency by understanding pilot behavior and system design.

What is the main benefit/outcome of predicting behavior in aviation?

To prevent accidents and incidents by applying Human Factors principles.

How can errors be avoided in aviation?

By applying Human Factors principles across design, training, procedures, and operational practices.

What is research?

A systematic, objective process of investigating phenomena to establish facts and expand knowledge.

What does the SHELL model stand for in human factors?

Software, Hardware, Environment, Liveware (the human element).

What is Human Information Processing?

A model of how humans perceive, process, and respond to information, including attention, perception, memory, and decision making.

What is accident causation?

The study of how and why accidents occur, considering interactions between people, tasks, equipment, and environments.

What is the DECIDE model in decision making?

A six-step framework: Detect the need to decide, Establish goals/criteria, Collect data, Identify options, Do the decision, Evaluate the results.

What is the goal for HF design regarding average, extreme, and adjustability?

Design for the average user but accommodate extremes and individual differences through adjustable features.

What is the focus of Chapter 2 (Purpose of Research)?

Understanding the purpose of research and the Research Process (steps 1–6) used in aviation psychology.

Name the six steps of the Research Process (as taught in this course).

Step 1: Identify the problem; Step 2: Review literature; Step 3: Formulate questions/hypotheses; Step 4: Design the study; Step 5: Collect data; Step 6: Analyze data and interpret results.

What is an informed consent form?

A document that informs participants about the study, its risks, benefits, and their rights, with voluntary participation.

What types of questions are used in surveys?

Open-ended, closed-ended, Likert-scale, multiple-choice, and other formats used to collect data.

What is physiology?

The science concerned with the functions and processes of living organisms and how the body works.

What are altitude effects?

Physiological and cognitive changes due to reduced ambient pressure and oxygen at altitude.

Name the four types of hypoxia.

Hypoxic hypoxia, hypemic hypoxia, stagnant hypoxia, histotoxic hypoxia.

What is hypoxic hypoxia?

Low arterial oxygen due to reduced ambient pressure/air at altitude.

What is hypemic hypoxia?

Decreased oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood (e.g., anemia, CO poisoning).

What is stagnant hypoxia?

Poor circulation causing reduced oxygen delivery to tissues.

What is histotoxic hypoxia?

Tissues unable to utilize oxygen due to toxins (e.g., certain poisons).

What is Time of Useful Consciousness (TUC)?

The period after exposure to hypoxia during which a person can perform tasks before losing consciousness.

What are other major physiological illnesses to be aware of in aviation?

Conditions such as decompression sickness and nitrogen narcosis, among others relevant to flight physiology.

What is fatigue?

A state of physical or mental weariness that reduces performance and alertness.

Fatigue: what are its causes, symptoms, and the time of day most impacted?

Causes include sleep loss, circadian disruption, workload; symptoms include yawning, irritability, reduced alertness; most impacted around the circadian low (roughly 0300–0500).

Fatigue vs Alcohol: how do they compare?

Both impair performance. Fatigue is from sleep loss and workload; alcohol is a chemical depressant; both degrade CNS function.

What are circadian rhythms and what causes jet lag?

Biological 24-hour cycles that regulate sleep-wake; jet lag occurs when rapid time-zone changes disrupt these rhythms.

Nutrition: what's the impact and what are hypoglycemia symptoms?

Nutrition affects energy and performance; hypoglycemia symptoms include dizziness, confusion, weakness, and fatigue.

Is crewmember alcohol use prohibited?

Yes—crewmembers are prohibited from consuming alcohol within a specified time frame before flight and during duty.

What are the effects of alcohol on pilot performance and how does BAC impact errors?

Alcohol impairs judgement, coordination, reaction time, and situational awareness; higher BAC increases the likelihood of pilot errors.

What is the effect of cannabis on aviation performance?

Cannabis impairs psychomotor skills, attention, and situational awareness, degrading flight performance.

How does tobacco use impact pilots?

Tobacco affects health and alertness; nicotine can alter attention and stress responses, with withdrawal affecting performance.

What is the effect of caffeine on performance?

Caffeine can improve alertness and reaction time in the short term, but excess use can cause jitters and sleep disruption.

Chapter 3 Illusions lab: what is studied?

Visual and vestibular flight illusions and how they can lead to spatial disorientation.

Chapter 4 Introduction: how do abilities and personalities affect pilots?

Individual abilities and personality traits influence performance, decision-making, and safety in aviation.

What are individual differences?

Variations among people in physical, cognitive, and personality traits that affect performance.

What are abilities?

Capacities or competencies that enable someone to perform tasks or skills.

What is intelligence and its components (fluid, crystallized, EI)?

Intelligence is general mental ability; fluid intelligence is problem-solving ability; crystallized intelligence is knowledge/skills; emotional intelligence is awareness and management of emotions.

What is the Five-Factor Model (Big Five)?

Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Neuroticism.

What is Cattell’s 16 Personality Factors (16PF)?

A personality assessment measuring 16 distinct traits.

What is Eysenck’s Model?

A model with three dimensions: Psychoticism, Extraversion, Neuroticism (PEN).

What is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator?

A personality assessment based on Jungian preferences; categorizes people into 16 personality types.

What are Type A and Type B personalities?

Type A: competitive, time-conscious; Type B: relaxed, less pressured.

What is the Honeymoon Effect?

An initial period of higher-than-usual performance or positive perception after a change, which may fade over time.