Decision-Making & Critical Incident Management

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key concepts, terms, and definitions from the lecture on Decision-Making & Critical Incident Management, designed to aid student understanding and exam preparation.

Critical Incident

A high-risk, high-stakes, or uncertain event requiring rapid and effective decision-making.

Endogenous Features

Situational-specific conditions affecting situation awareness in a critical incident.

Exogenous Features

Factors related to the operating system’s response to endogenous features.

Team Cohesion

The degree of unity and cooperation among team members during critical incidents.

Naturalistic Decision Making (NDM)

An approach to studying decisions made in real-world situations that emphasizes experience and context.

Heuristics

Mental shortcuts used to speed up the process of finding satisfactory solutions.

Availability Heuristic

Decision-making based on readily available information from memory.

Recognition-Primed Decision-Making (RPD)

A model showing how experienced decision-makers act quickly based on pattern recognition and prior experiences.

Cognitive Load

The amount of working memory being used during decision-making.

Confirmation Bias

The tendency to select information that confirms existing beliefs.

Situation Awareness

The perception of environmental elements and understanding their significance for decision-making.

Decision Avoidance

The passive delay or refusal to make a necessary decision.

Decision Inertia

Redundant deliberation for no positive gain, leading to inaction.

Least-Worst Decisions

Choices made when all options lead to negative consequences.

Classical Decision Theory

A model assuming decision-makers are objective and have complete information.

Cognitive Efficiency

The ability to process information and make decisions quickly and accurately.

Action-Feedback Loops

Cycles of action and observation used to adapt responses during critical incidents.

Multi-Agency Coordination

Collaboration among multiple agencies responding to a critical incident.

Post-Incident Evaluation

The assessment performed after an incident to identify areas for improvement.

Rational Choice Model

A decision-making process that involves evaluating all options before making a choice.

Ambiguous Information

Unclear or uncertain data that complicates decision-making.

Transparency in Communication

Open and clear sharing of information during critical incident management.

Resilience

The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties during critical incidents.

Psychological Trauma

Emotional distress experienced by individuals after critical incidents.

Simulation-Based Training

Training that uses realistic scenarios to prepare individuals for critical incidents.

Environmental Demands

The challenges presented by the situation that affect decision-making.

Field Studies

Research conducted in real-world environments to understand decision-making processes.

Predictability

The extent to which future events can be anticipated based on past experiences.

Cues

Signals or indicators that influence decision-making in a given context.

Interdependence of Consequences

The interconnected outcomes of decisions made by multiple actors.

Training Protocols

Guidelines developed to prepare responders for critical incidents.

Dynamic Conditions

Rapidly changing environments that influence decision-making.

Satisficing

Choosing the first acceptable option rather than the optimal one.

Action Orientation

The readiness to take efficient actions in response to a situation.

Context-Bound Decisions

Decisions made based on specific situational cues rather than general options.

Patterns and Templates

Cognitive structures used by experienced decision-makers to recognize similarities.

Role Confusion

Uncertainty about responsibilities within a team during a crisis.

Heuristic Biases

Cognitive shortcuts that can lead to systematic errors in decision-making.

Feedback Mechanisms

Processes that provide information about the effects of actions taken.

Training Scenarios

Simulated situations developed for educational purposes.

Information Overload

A state caused by receiving too much information, leading to ineffective decision-making.

Prototype Matching

Identifying situations based on previously encountered examples.

Cognitive Flexibility

The ability to adapt one's thinking to new and unexpected information.

Crisis Situations

Events that require immediate response and decision-making to mitigate harm.

Operational Readiness

The state of being prepared to respond effectively to critical incidents.

Transparent Engagement

Involving stakeholders in the decision-making process openly.

Mental Models

Internal representations of external reality that influence understanding and decision-making.

Crisis Management Plans

Documents outlining procedures for responding to specific types of critical incidents.

Decision Support Systems

Tools designed to assist decision-makers in evaluating options.

Information Bias

The tendency to favor information that confirms one's preconceptions.

Decision-Making Frameworks

Structured approaches to guide the decision-making process.

Simulation Protocols

Guidelines for conducting training simulations effectively.

Intuition in Decision-Making

The ability to make quick judgments based on experience rather than analysis.

Emotional Intelligence

The ability to recognize and manage one's own emotions and those of others.

Adaptability

The capability to adjust to new conditions in decision-making.

Situational Context

The specific circumstances surrounding an event, impacting decisions.

Crisis Negotiation

Communication interactions aimed at resolving a critical situation peacefully.

Mental Simulation

Imagining the outcomes of different courses of action before deciding.

Data-Driven Decision Making

Making choices based on data analysis rather than intuition alone.

Overreliance on Heuristics

Dependence on mental shortcuts that may lead to inaccuracies.

Role Clarity

Clear understanding of individual responsibilities in a team to ensure coordinated action.

Crisis Response Training

Education designed to prepare individuals for managing critical incidents.

Field Observations

Research method involving watching behaviors in their natural environments.

Rapid Assessment

Quickly evaluating a situation to inform decisions.

Collaborative Decision-Making

A process where multiple stakeholders work together to make decisions.

Qualitative Analysis

Evaluating non-numerical data to gain insights into decision-making processes.

Crisis Response Teams

Specialized groups tasked with managing critical incidents.

Consequence Analysis

Evaluation of the potential outcomes associated with decisions.

Critical Thinking Skills

The ability to analyze information objectively and make reasoned judgments.

Structured Decision-Making

A systematic approach to making decisions based on predefined criteria.

Decision-Making Capacity

The ability of an individual or team to make choices effectively.

Normative Decision Theory

The study of how decisions should be made, in contrast to how they are made in practice.

Veteran Experience

The accumulated knowledge and skills developed through extensive exposure to specific situations.

Team Dynamics

The interpersonal relationships and behaviors that influence team performance.

Adaptive Leadership

Leading effectively in changing environments through flexibility and awareness.

Collaborative Training

Joint training exercises that enhance teamwork and decision-making in crises.

Information Credibility

The reliability and trustworthiness of information used in decision-making.

Crisis Simulation Drills

Practice exercises designed to emulate real crisis situations for training purposes.

Contextual Factors

Elements pertinent to a situation that impact decision-making.

Predictive Modeling

Using data analysis to anticipate the outcomes of decisions.

Facilitated Debriefing

Guided discussions after events to analyze decisions and outcomes.

Collaborative Environment

A setting where teamwork and mutual support are emphasized.

Strategic Decision-Making

Long-term planning that considers the implications and risks of decisions.

Interpersonal Skills

The ability to communicate and interact effectively with others.

Feedback Loops in Decision-Making

The process of using outcomes to inform future decisions.

Scenario-Based Learning

An educational approach using real or hypothetical situations for skill development.

Ethnographic Research

In-depth study of cultures and practices through immersive observation.

Simulation Analysis

The evaluation of decision behaviors observed in simulated scenarios.

Implication of Decisions

The potential impact and consequences of choices made during crises.

Behavioral Insights

Understanding human behavior to improve decision-making processes.

Critical Incident Reviews

Analyses conducted to evaluate the responses to specific incidents.

Collaborative Frameworks

Systems that facilitate teamwork in decision-making.

Crisis Communication Strategies

Methods for conveying essential information during emergencies.

Decision Quality

The overall effectiveness and implications of the choices made.

Judgment Under Pressure

The ability to make effective decisions in high-stress situations.

Performance Metrics

Standards used to measure the effectiveness of decisions.

Sociocultural Influences

The effect of societal and cultural factors on decision-making.

Workplace Safety Protocols

Guidelines to ensure worker safety during high-risk situations.

Resource Allocation

Deciding how to distribute resources effectively during a crisis.

Stress Resilience

The capability to withstand and recover from stressful situations.