Communications content training as an ingredient in effective team performance.

Abstract

In a first study, the relationship between helicopter team performance and the content and flow of communications within the team during simulated problem solution was investigated. Communications variables found to be correlated with an objective performance criterion were factor analyzed. The four emerging factors wore named: ‘ probabilistic structure ’, ‘ evaluative interchange ’, ‘ hypothesis formulation ’, and ‘ leadership control ’ In a second study, involving a different helicopter simulator, geographic location. and sample, the first study was replicated. Three of the four previously isolated communications factors were recovered. A training programme emphasizing the employment of the communications factors was doveloped, administered, and evaluated. The results indicated that, in terms of a performance criterion, team proficiency was affected in the proper direction, but the differences between the course trained and a control group were not statistically significant.