Aviation Psychology 1st Test

First 4 topics

What is psychology?

The scientific study of behavior and mental processes.

What are the goals of psychology?

To describe, explain, predict, and influence behavior.

What is aviation psychology?

A branch of psychology that focuses on human behavior and performance in aviation environments, aiming to improve safety and efficiency.

What are the goals of aviation psychology?

To enhance human performance, reduce errors, predict behavior, improve pilot selection and training, and design user-friendly systems.

Benefits & outcomes of predicting behavior in aviation?

Reduces errors, prevents accidents, optimizes human-machine interaction, improves training, and enhances decision-making.

How to avoid errors in aviation?

Through human factors principles, proper training, checklists, monitoring, fatigue management, and simulation exercises.

Human factors principles prevent accidents and incidents in aviation by reducing human error through better training, clear communication, ergonomic design, teamwork, and safety culture—ensuring pilots, crew, and systems work effectively together.

Are accidents and incidents in aviation preventable?

Yes, through the application of Human Factors principles

What is research?

Systematic investigation to establish facts, develop new knowledge, or apply knowledge to solve problems.

What is the SHELL model?

A human factors model representing the interaction between Software, Hardware, Environment, Liveware (human), and Liveware-Liveware interactions.

What is human information processing?

The way humans perceive, interpret, store, and respond to information.

What is accident causation?

Analysis of factors leading to accidents, including human error, technical failures, and environmental conditions.

What is the DECIDE model?

A decision-making model in aviation: Detect, Estimate, Choose, Identify, Do, Evaluate.

What is the goal for Human Factors in design?

To design for the average user, account for extremes, and include adjustability for individual differences.

What is the purpose of research?

To generate knowledge, test hypotheses, solve problems, and improve practices.

What are the steps in the research process?

• Identify the problem

• Review the literature

• Formulate a hypothesis or research question

• Design the study

• Collect data

• Analyze data and report findings

What is informed consent?

A process where participants are given information about the study, understand risks/benefits, and voluntarily agree to participate.

What are the different types of survey questions?

Closed-ended, open-ended, Likert scale, multiple choice, demographic questions

What is physiology?

The study of how the human body functions.

Normal vs. aviation environment?

Normal: Sea-level conditions with optimal oxygen, pressure, and temperature. Aviation: High altitude, low oxygen, pressure changes, vibration, noise, and temperature extremes.

Altitude effects?

Hypoxia, decompression sickness, decreased performance, impaired judgment.

Four types of hypoxia?

• Hypoxic: low oxygen in the blood

• Hypemic: blood cannot carry enough oxygen (e.g., anemia, CO poisoning)

• Stagnant: poor circulation

• Histotoxic: cells cannot use oxygen (e.g., alcohol, cyanide)

Time of useful consciousness?

The time an individual can perform tasks effectively at a given altitude without supplemental oxygen.

Other major physiological illnesses in aviation?

Motion sickness, decompression sickness, barotrauma, fatigue-related disorders.

Fatigue?

A state of reduced mental or physical performance caused by prolonged activity, sleep loss, or circadian disruption. Causes: Sleep deprivation, workload, time of day, stress. Symptoms: Reduced alertness, slower reaction times, poor decision-making.

Comparison: Fatigue vs. Alcohol?

Fatigue impairs performance similar to alcohol intoxication; e.g., 17-19 hours of wakefulness ≈ BAC 0.05%.

Circadian rhythms?

Internal body clock regulating sleep-wake cycles. Causes: Light exposure, sleep patterns. Symptoms: Jet lag, sleep disruption, fatigue.

Nutrition impact?

Blood sugar affects alertness, hypoglycemia reduces performance.

Alcohol in aviation?

Crewmembers prohibited; even small BAC increases errors and reaction times.

Cannabis, tobacco, caffeine impact?

Cannabis impairs cognition and motor skills; tobacco can affect oxygen transport and cardiovascular function; caffeine improves alertness temporarily.

What are individual differences?

Variations in abilities, personality traits, and other characteristics among people.

Abilities?

Skills or capacities to perform tasks, e.g., cognitive, psychomotor.

Intelligence?

The capacity to acquire knowledge, reason, and solve problems. Types: Fluid (problem-solving) and crystallized (knowledge and skills). Emotional intelligence: Recognizing, understanding, and managing emotions.

Abilities in aviation?

Good pilot qualities: situational awareness, decision-making, multitasking. Fighter pilot abilities: high G-tolerance, fast reaction times. Cognitive abilities critical for pilot qualification and UAS/RPV operators.

Personality?

Patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

Personality models?

• Cattell’s 16 Personality Factors

• Eysenck’s Model (Extraversion, Neuroticism, Psychoticism)

• Five-Factor Model (OCEAN: Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Neuroticism)

• Myers-Briggs Type Indicator

• Type A & B personality

• Honeymoon Effect (initial optimism bias)