Aviation Psychology Research Articles

THE STRUCTURE OF VISUAL OBJECT PERCEPTION AND PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTANCE IN THE LIGHT OF THE CONSTRUAL LEVEL THEORY BY N. LIBERMAN AND Y. TROPE: A POTENTIAL APPLICATION IN AVIATION PSYCHOLOGY

Introduction: The aim of the study is to determine the relation between the form of visual presentation of an object and the psychological distance included in the four dimensions (spatial, temporal, social, hypotheticality). The construal level theory by Nira Liberman and Yaacov Trope is used as a theoretical point of reference. Methods: 400 people participated in the experiment. All distance dimensions were subjected to the same procedure: estimating the percentage value of the extent to which the objects presented in sixty slides (plus a second similarly constructed variant) were related to a specific context determined by the magnitude of psychological distance, in each dimension separately (for example, whether the object came from a shop in Poland or Ireland – small vs. large spatial distance). Six formal features of the visual presentation of an object were manipulated: size, exposed part, level of detail, color, background, technique. Results: On the basis of the results obtained, it can be concluded that photographs generate less psychological distance than pictures, only in some conditions, determined by the quality of dimensions and stimuli, objects represented in color are associated with greater distance than black-and-white ones; size, exposed part, level of detail and background shape, in most conditions determined by the dimensions of distance and the quality of stimuli, influence the psychological distance significantly, albeit in different ways (different directions of influence). Discussion: The hypothesis concerning the mechanism linking the formal features of an object (presented in a visual form) to psychological distance can be illustrated by using the context of the basic distance – the spatial distance at the two poles of which any object can be located, "looked at" from two perspectives –short and long distance, and then extracting those properties which depended on the magnitude of the spatial distance. Conclusions: 1) Photographs are associated with less psychological distance compared to pictures. 2) Objects presented in color generate a greater distance than those in black and white (in many conditions defined by the dimension of distance and the quality of the stimuli). 3) Size, exposed part, level of detail and background influence the distance in most conditions, but the direction of the influence is not constant – it depends on the specificity of these conditions (on the dimension of distance and the quality of stimuli). 4) The principle of perception of visual objects and psychological distance finds a valuable application in aviation psychology, as a basis for research on general issues of visual situational awareness of a pilot.

Moral values of a future military pilot as the reliability of predicted professional psychological selection

Abstract. Aim. To identify one of the problems of professional psychological selection of applicants for training in a higher military flight school, to show the importance of moral values in the professional development of a military pilot and the impact of their presence or absence on the quality of the prediction as part of professional psychological selection. At present, the progress and constant modernisation of the Russian Air Force aircraft fleet places ever higher demands on the level of professionalism of a modern military pilot. In this context, there is a growing need for greater numbers of indicators diagnosed during professional psychological selection (PPS) that are later used to predict the success of military flight training and professional activity in general. That is primarily due to the fact that recently more and more attention has been paid to the role of the personality and its integrative function. However, at present, the existing flight crew PPS system does not provide a comprehensive diagnosis of a candidate’s personality.Methods. Based on a theoretical analysis of the work conducted by researchers and practitioners of aviation psychology and various approaches to the study of the professional fitness of flight personnel, it was identified that the key element in the diagnosis of professional fitness is the personality with its integrative function and the whole set of professionally important qualities. The analysis of literature in aviation psychology shows that personal qualities determine motivation, focus and sustained interest in flight work, as well as the social type of behaviour and a person’s adaptation to specific conditions of flight activity and military service.Results. A pilot’s professionalism begins with shaping the personality. Nowadays, the loss of spiritual guidelines has led to a dramatic simplification of moral values and patriotic spirit, and young people are more focused on consumerism. Selecting candidates for military aviation involves the use of a diverse set of diagnostic techniques that helps evaluate the most important psychological and personal qualities. However, the experience of application of personal questionnaires shows that they do not always represent a complete picture of an applicant’s motivation, personality orientation, self-awareness and basic values. The use of projective and hardware-based methods is minimised, the existing automated system for professional psychological selection (ASPPS) is insufficiently equipped with methods that diagnose personal qualities, the emphasis being placed on diagnosing cognitive processes. The century-old history of PPS shows a violation of the principle of personal integrity, which isexpressed in the bias towards psychophysiology. As a result, at present, the existing flight crew PPS does not provide a comprehensive diagnosis of a candidate’s personality.Conclusions. In conclusion, it is noted that the key element in the diagnosis of professional aptitude is the personality with all its PIQ and moral values. Growing numbers of diagnosed indicators in the personal block of the PIQ will enable a comprehensive diagnosis of a candidate, and thanks to a combination of survey and projective methods, it will help increase the reliability of the PPS prediction, provided that an applicant’s personality is treated holistically, based on the principles of an integrative approach to the person as an integral personality.

Meetings and Congresses

Meetings and Congresses

Result of the Best Paper Award 2021

Free AccessResult of the Best Paper Award 2021Published Online:May 09, 2023https://doi.org/10.1027/2192-0923/a000249PDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack Citations ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInReddit SectionsMoreThe manuscript “Why learning opportunities from aviation incidents are lacking: The impact of active and latent failures and confidential reporting” by Sebastian Sieberichs & Annette Kluge, published in Aviation Psychology and Applied Human Factors (2021), 11(1), 33–47, has been selected by the Editor-in-Chief, the Editor and the Associate Editors of the journal for the Best Paper Award 2021.The first author will be invited to present the paper in an upcoming EAAP event.Julia BehrendEditor-in-Chief, Aviation Psychology and Applied Human FactorsContact: journal@eaap.netMatthew J. W. ThomasEditor, Aviation Psychology and Applied Human FactorsContact: journal@eaap.netGunnar SteinhardtEAAP PresidentContact: president@eaap.netMelanie ToddAAvPA PresidentContact: president@aavpa.orgReferences Sieberichs, S., & Kluge, A. (2021). Why learning opportunities from aviation incidents are lacking: The impact of active and latent failures and confidential reporting. Aviation Psychology and Applied Human Factors, 11(1), 33–47. https://doi.org/10.1027/2192-0923/a000204 Link, Google ScholarFiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 13Issue 1March 2023ISSN: 2192-0923eISSN: 2192-0931 InformationAviation Psychology and Applied Human Factors (2023), 13, pp. 77-77 https://doi.org/10.1027/2192-0923/a000249.© 2023Hogrefe PublishingPDF download

A Competency Framework for Aviation Psychologists and Human Factors Specialists in Aviation

Abstract: Aviation psychology and human factors have made a significant contribution to aviation safety since the beginning of flying. Following the Germanwings tragedy in 2015, the professions have received extra attention from both governmental and aviation industry organizations. This paper reports on the development of a competency framework defining skills, knowledge, and attitudes for the endorsement of aviation psychologists (AVPSY) and aviation human factors specialists (AVHFS) based on input from 47 stakeholders and subject matter experts. The framework covers aviation domain knowledge, knowledge about humans, methodological approaches and tools, application practice areas, and common supporting skills and attitudes. Commonalities and differences between AVPSY and AVHFS are highlighted, and competency levels are discussed. Practical benefits of using the competency-based framework are emphasized for practitioners, employers, and universities or training organizations.

Humans and Technology

Free AccessHumans and TechnologyJulia Behrend and Matthew J. W. ThomasJulia BehrendJulia Behrend, Ecole Normale Supérieure, PSL Research University, Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives, 29 rue d’Ulm, 75005 Paris, Francejournal@eaap.net Ecole Normale Supérieure, PSL Research University, Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives, Paris, France Search for more papers by this author and Matthew J. W. ThomasMatthew J. W. Thomas, Appleton Institute, Central Queensland University, 44 Greenhill Rd, Wayville, SA 5034, Australiajournal@eaap.net Appleton Institute, Central Queensland University, Adelaide, Australia Search for more papers by this authorPublished Online:May 08, 2023https://doi.org/10.1027/2192-0923/a000248PDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack Citations ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInReddit SectionsMoreThis issue of Aviation Psychology and Applied Human Factors presents a set of papers that reflect two different, yet equally important dimensions of our disciplines, that of technology and the human element.First, several of the articles in this issue focus on new technologies, and their potential role in enhancing aviation safety. Our disciplines of aviation psychology and human factors have from their beginnings focussed on technological innovation, given the rapid evolution of the aviation industry and the enormous technological advances that have occurred along the way. However, one of the most important roles we play is through the evaluation of those technologies, demonstrating their effectiveness from a human perspective, and identifying any unanticipated consequences in implementation.The evaluation of new technologies demands high quality, in the form of sound experimental design, disciplined data collection and appropriate statistical analysis. All of these characteristics are seen in the papers presented in our journal, and our reviewers and editorial team pay significant attention to the scientific rigor applied to the research we publish.While the focus on new technologies, and their scientific evaluation is important, just as important is the attention we pay to the individuals and teams who together create safety and efficiency in operations.Feeling safe at work implies more than the physical aspects, including an individual’s mental and social well-being. Aviation psychologists and human factors specialists play a major role in creating that diverse climate. Their knowledge, skills, and attitudes help to make the sky safer.The term competency is more than ever an area of focus for the aviation industry, looking at the job-related observable behaviors of safety-sensitive personnel. Keeping the balance of analyzing human behavior in a precise way without creating too narrow mindsets is a challenge for future operations. Gestalt psychology emphasizes that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.The human element and technology are two equally important dimensions of our discipline that should always create a synergy to keep safety the overarching priority.Every time, we receive a new submission, we are amazed by the brilliant research ideas and variety of thought. We would like to thank all authors, reviewers, associate editors, the editorial team and the Hogrefe team for their ongoing support to make the journal a continued success.Julia Behrend Matthew J. W. ThomasEditor-in-Chief EditorAuthor BiographiesJulia Behrend (PhD) is an associate member of the Department of Cognitive Studies at the Ecole Normale Supérieure, PSL Research University in Paris, France, and is Head of Safety Innovation & Human Cooperation at Air France. She aims to apply findings from aviation psychology and cognitive neuroscience to safety to better understand human performance in high-risk industries.Matthew J. W. Thomas (PhD) is an Associate Professor at Appleton Institute at Central Queensland University in Adelaide, Australia, and Director of Westwood Thomas Associates. His research focuses on error management and non-technical skills across high-risk industries.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 13Issue 1March 2023ISSN: 2192-0923eISSN: 2192-0931 Published onlineMay 8, 2023 InformationAviation Psychology and Applied Human Factors (2023), 13, pp. 1-1 https://doi.org/10.1027/2192-0923/a000248.© 2023Hogrefe PublishingPDF download

Short- and Long-Term Changes in the Neurophysiological Status of Pilots Due to Radiation Exposure Caused by Geomagnetic Storms

Pilots who have completed successfully all the tests of cognitive and personality psychology have a strong commitment to their movements, and they influence their neural stimulation, such as the ability to acknowledge the right steps to follow in their tasks or dangerous situations. One of the branches of Aviation Psychology is dealing with the physical and mental effects of flight on aircrew personnel and passengers. Astronomical events, such as geomagnetic storms (GSs) that have a disruptive effect on Earth’s magnetosphere in certain periods, will cause negative effects on aircrew personnel and passengers. This article describes the expected damage to the different areas of the brain and nervous system in short- and long-term periods caused by the effects of GSs, based on the results of previous studies on GSs and neurophysiological studies. This is a very important topic for neurophysiological studies of pilots when we consider that aircraft accidents that may be geomagnetic in origin accounted for 26.36% of the total accidents which coincide with the days of GSs. Decision-making and judgment problems, abnormal attitudes such as anger, fearlessness, temerity, self-confidence, etc., decreasing problem-solving abilities, organization capabilities, and instantaneous decisions are the short-term changes while developing cancers of the brain, testis, bladder, breast, colon, melanoma, and Hodgkin’s type, in addition to Alzheimer’s and dementia diseases, hypoglycaemia, stroke, epileptic seizures, insomnia, stomach bleeding, appendicitis, hernia, asthma, and severe spinal pains can be lead in the long-term changes. We mentioned the psychological and medical application method of EEG in our article since it is the best technique that allows us to see the effects of these storms in the laboratory environment. This is because, the aircrew personnel and passengers flying at high latitudes will experience the effect of the GSs directly, whereas the response of the pilot, flight crew, and passengers flying in the middle latitudes, to these effects, can be measured only with tests in the laboratory environment. This paper has also special importance for the aviation literature because a theoretical recommendation regarding the possible laboratory environment for EEG measurements and application procedures necessary to investigate these effects is also presented.

Mining attention distribution paradigm: Discover gaze patterns and their association rules behind the visual image

Background and ObjectiveAttention allocation reflects the way of humans filtering and organizing the information. On one hand, different task scenarios seriously affect human's rule of attention distribution, on the other hand, visual attention reflecting the cognitive and psychological process. Most of the previous studies on visual attention allocation are based on cognitive models, predicted models, or statistical analysis of eye movement data or visual images, however, these methods are inadequate to provide an inside view of gaze behavior to reveal the attention distribution pattern within scenario context. Moreover, they seldom study the association rules of these patterns. Therefore, we adopted the big data mining approach to discover the paradigm of visual attention distribution. MethodsWe applied the data mining method to extract the gaze patterns to discover the regularities of attention distribution behavior within the scenario context. The proposed method consists of three components, tasks scenario segmented and clustered, gaze pattern mining, and association rule of frequent pattern mining. ResultsThe proposed approach is tested on the operation platform. The complex operation task is simultaneously segmented and clustered with the TICC-based method and evaluated by the BCI index. The operator's eye movement frequent patterns and their association rule are discovered. The results demonstrate that our method can associate the eye-tracking data with the task-oriented scene data. DiscussionThe proposed method provides the benefits of being able to explicitly express and quantitatively analyze people's visual attention patterns. The proposed method can not only be applied in the field of aerospace medicine and aviation psychology, but also can likely be applied to computer-aided diagnosis and follow-up tool for neurological disease and cognitive impairment related disease, such as ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), neglect syndrome, social attention differences in ASD (Autism spectrum disorder).

10th International Summer School on Aviation Psychology

10th International Summer School on Aviation Psychology

Simulator Training Development in the History of Aviation in Russia

The purpose of this study is to substantiate the stages of simulator training development, which is taking greater importance in military and civil aviation. During the study of the simulator training development history, three main stages were identified: birth, design and improvement, which are closely related to the stages of development of flight training methodology from the beginning of the twentieth century to the present. It is established that mechanical simulators, electric simulators, electric simulators using computers and digital simulators were sequentially used. Modern simulators ensure the purposeful development of professional skills, but psychological semblance to actions in extreme flight conditions is not fully achieved. The authors conclude that it is necessary to improve consistently the system of psychological selection of prospective students and methods of psychological training of pilots, to take into account the laws of aviation psychology and pedagogy in simulator engineering.

Meetings and Congresses

Meetings and Congresses

Correction to Sieberichs & Kluge, 2021

Free AccessCorrection to Sieberichs & Kluge, 2021Corrections for this articleWhy Learning Opportunities From Aviation Incidents Are LackingPublished Online:October 29, 2021https://doi.org/10.1027/2192-0923/a000217PDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack Citations ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditE-Mail SectionsMoreThe article entitled “Why learning opportunities from aviation incidents are lacking – The impact of active and latent failures and confidential reporting” by Sebastian Sieberichs and Annette Kluge (Aviation Psychology and Applied Human Factors, 11(1), 33–47, https://doi.org/10.1027/2192-0923/a000204) has now been published as an open access article with “© The Author(s)” and under a CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license.The following funding information has been added:FundingOpen access publication enabled by Ruhr University Bochum.References Sieberichs, S., & Kluge, A. (2021). Why learning opportunities from aviation incidents are lacking – The impact of active and latent failures and confidential reporting. Aviation Psychology and Applied Human Factors, 11(1), 33–47. https://doi.org/10.1027/2192-0923/a000204 First citation in articleLink, Google ScholarFiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsRelated articlesWhy Learning Opportunities From Aviation Incidents Are Lacking05 May 2021Aviation Psychology and Applied Human Factors Volume 11Issue 2September 2021ISSN: 2192-0923eISSN: 2192-0931 Published onlineOctober 29, 2021 InformationAviation Psychology and Applied Human Factors (2021), 11, pp. 129-129 https://doi.org/10.1027/2192-0923/a000217.© 2021Hogrefe PublishingPDF download

Aviation psychology: development stage in science and education

Introduction. Aviation psychology is a sphere of psychology that makes a significant contribution to ensuring aviation safety. The changes taking place at different levels of aviation psychology methodology require prompt reflection and critical assessment for prognostication of its further development. The purpose of this paper is to study the current stage of aviation psychology development in science and education, based on the materials from foreign and Russian sources. Materials and methods. The research materials represent a corpus of articles of foreign and Russian periodicals, collections of applied research conferences, monographs, and training toolkits. The research method represents the analysis of aviation psychology development directions, along with the consideration of peculiarities of the Russian aviation psychology development. Results. Aviation psychologists investigate the causes of aviation accidents caused by the human factor, improve the methods of psychological selection and simulator training, resolve the problems of optimisation of aircraft-specific work and find prerequisites for efficient operation of unmanned aerial vehicles in the conditions of the technological progress in the aerospace industry. Aviation psychology is taught at specialised higher education institutions and aviation training centres. Aviation psychology is in possession of inexhaustible cognitive resources for vocational guidance of young people. Conclusion. The current state of development of aviation psychology in science and education makes it possible to solve the pressing tasks aimed at increasing the reliability of aviation as a defence transport system. Most publications are related to engineering and psychological tasks involved in securing flight safety in the context of cockpit and control equipment ergonomics design, information support for pilots; improving the methodology of flight- and ground training of pilots based on digital technologies; development of interfaces for operators of remotely piloted aircraft. Russian aviation psychology is characterised by the orientation towards cultivating the cultural, historical, and moral foundations of professionalism in aviation.

Re-examining the Pioneering Studies on Eye Movements in Aviation: Connecting the Past to the Present

ABSTRACT Objective: To reduce the gap between old and new eye-tracking studies in aviation by raising the interest of the scientific community in some of the pioneering works. We present two emblematic cases: the misattributed origin of the use of eye-tracking techniques in aviation to Paul M. Fitts and his collaborators, and the forgotten (and often reinvented) oculometer training tape technique. Background: Over the last century, military and civilian researchers have used eye-tracking techniques to solve many challenges faced by the aviation industry, from assessing new graphical displays to testing procedural trainings. Yet, these techniques have been always classified as merely promising. The difficulty of using eye trackers outside of a laboratory environment, and the labor-intensive data extraction and interpretation procedures have long been considered a barrier to implementing eye-tracking techniques in aviation settings. Method: We revised original scientific articles as well as military and civilian technical reports on the use of eye-tracking techniques in aviation settings from the beginning of Aviation Psychology. Results: A systematic failure in recognizing and learning from the pioneering works might be a concomitant explanation for classifying the use of eye-tracking techniques as merely promising. Conclusion: Taking together past and present findings, it would not be over-optimistic to state that eye-tracking finally went from being a “promising” technique in aviation to a “proven” one.

Features and pecularities of aviation psychology

Features and pecularities of aviation psychology

Increasing the reliability of stress tolerance prediction as part of aptitude screening of flight specialists

Aim . The paper describes a research aimed at improving the reliability of stress tolerance prediction as part of aptitude screening (AS) of flight school applicants using a proprietary objectifying method of Stress Tolerance Assessment. Stress tolerance (ST) is an important psychophysiological professional quality and serves as one of the factors ensuring both successful flight training, and further professional flight work. However, the methods recommended in regulatory documents for the purpose of ST identification as part of AS are not efficient enough and are affected by subjective factors. Therefore, an objective and thus more efficient method is still required. Methods . The method was developed based on the analysis of subject-matter literature and own experience. Stress stimuli and methods of indicator recording were selected based on their empirical verification. The stress-inducing property of the stimuli was confirmed by the pulse rate increase by 40 – 100% and higher, associated behavioural manifestations and significant dynamics of mental productivity in the course of tests. Out of the methods of mathematical statistics, the authors used correlation analysis. Results . The method of ST assessment is based on the Reakor multifunctional psychophysiological system by the Medicom MTD research and development company from Taganrog, Russia, with a proprietary procedure built in the system’s software. As stress stimulus material and for performance assessment, arithmetically complicated problems were selected, whose solutions involve a larger portion (areas) of the brain than verbal tests. In order to eliminate the effect of habituation and learning, the arithmetic tests were displayed one by one on a computer screen in a random order. The 3-4-second time interval between individual problems was selected based on premises of aviation psychology and tests conducted on a group of students. The sample consisted of 1135 male applicants to the higher flight school in 2016. Correlation analysis shows that the correlations between the external criterion indicators (successful simulator training and flying practice) and the integrated ST indicator are statistically significant: the higher is the ST indicator measured in the course of AS using the respective method, the higher are the expert estimates of the simulator training and flying practice. Conclusion . Thus, the conducted research showed that the application of the developed method of ST assessment in the course of higher flight school AS ensures higher predicted stress tolerance in the selected candidates as the psychophysiological factor of professional efficiency and reliability of flight personnel.

Pesquisas em psicologia da aviação na América Latina: revisão integrativa

Pesquisas em psicologia da aviação na América Latina: revisão integrativa

Building Bridges

Free AccessBuilding BridgesMichaela Schwarz and Melanie ToddMichaela Schwarz European Association for Aviation Psychology (EAAP), Vienna, Austria Search for more papers by this author and Melanie Todd Australian Aviation Psychology Association (AAvPA), Melbourne, Australia Search for more papers by this authorPublished Online:April 02, 2020https://doi.org/10.1027/2192-0923/a000187PDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack Citations ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInReddit SectionsMoreSince 1956 the European Association for Aviation Psychology (EAAP) has been promoting the study of psychology and the scientific pursuit of applied psychology and human factors in the field of Aviation. In 1992 the Australian Aviation Psychology Association (AAvPA) was founded to join forces to raise awareness of aviation psychology and human factors in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. Dr Melanie Todd, at the time AAvPA Secretary and I had the pleasure to serve on the AAvPA Board from 2008 to 2010. Together with the rest of the AAvPA executive, we worked hard to bring Aviation Psychology and Human Factors down under closer to Europe and vice versa. Our main levers back then were promoting each other’s bi-annual conferences/symposia, training courses and facilitating a close network between EAAP and AAvPA members.Today AAvPA members enjoy the same benefits as EAAP members and EAAP members are welcome to participate at the AAvPA Symposium at special AAvPA rates. Together with our members we have achieved several milestones. The foundation of the new journal Aviation Psychology and Applied Human Factors (APAHF) as the official journal for EAAP and AAvPA in 2011 in cooperation with Hogrefe Publishing was certainly a high point.We are proud that since the first issue in January 2011 and with combined efforts of the editorial board, associate editors, authors, members, and our colleagues from Hogrefe Publishing, two issues could be published timely each year. The journal is an indispensable means to promoting scientific research, applied practices, book reviews, news and events in aviation psychology and human factors. We are happy to see the number of manuscript submissions and the quality of original (scientific) articles is increasing each year. At the same time we are pleased to see science applied in practice sometimes in close cooperation with industry partners. Further, it has always been a goal of both EAAP and AAvPA to support students in the field of aviation psychology and human factors. This journal, in addition to the symposia, also provides a mechanism for student papers to be published and emerging research to be highlighted.In our view it is important to understand the needs of our industry stakeholders when it comes to human performance and people issues. We would like to see the journal further develop as a medium to inform researchers and academics about industry news and help identify possible research areas, questions and problems. In return, academia can inform industry partners by addressing questions and problem areas through scientific studies delivering sound empirical evidence.In this spirit, we encourage both academia and industry partners in aviation to continue to build bridges to increase aviation safety between Europe, Australia, and beyond. We hope that our readers will see the great potential our scientific journal can bring to their daily operations and look forward to more submissions addressing current industry developments and trends.Michaela Schwarz and Melanie ToddEAAP and AAvPA Presidentspresident@eaap.net; president@aavpa.orgMichaela Schwarz is an aviation psychologist and human factors expert working towards improving human performance in aviation and rail. She received her doctoral degree in psychology from the University of Graz, Austria in 2016. Her main research focus and specialities are the assessment and improvement of safety – just culture and safety-relevant behaviour, the integration of human performance elements in safety management systems and the development and delivery of human factors training programs. Michaela has been a member of the EAAP Board for 10 years and EAAP President for 2 years.Melanie Todd is a Human Factors specialist, working across various high reliability industries. She received her doctoral degree in psychology in 2014, with a focus on pilot performance and licensing. Melanie has worked in both regulatory and investigative roles as a specialist in human factors, primarily in aviation with experience in rail and maritime investigations. Her specialist interest areas include accident and incident investigation, human error analysis, fatigue risk management, and training. Melanie has been a member of the AAvPA Executive Committee for over 15 years and AAvPA President for over 6 years.Michaela Schwarz, EAAP, Vienna, Austria, E-mail president@eaap.netFiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 10Issue 1March 2020ISSN: 2192-0923eISSN: 2192-0931 Published onlineApril 2, 2020 InformationAviation Psychology and Applied Human Factors (2020), 10, pp. 1-2 https://doi.org/10.1027/2192-0923/a000187.© 2020Hogrefe PublishingPDF download

Result of the Best Paper Award 2019

Free AccessResult of the Best Paper Award 2019Published Online:April 03, 2020https://doi.org/10.1027/2192-0923/a000186PDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack Citations ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInReddit SectionsMoreThe manuscript “Attitude Indicator Format – How difficult is the transition between different reference systems?” by Simon Müller, Fabienne Roche, and Dietrich Manzey, published in Aviation Psychology and Applied Human Factors (2019), 9(2), pp. 95–105, has been selected by the Editor-in-Chief and the Associate Editors of the journal for the Best Paper Award 2019.The first author is invited to present the paper in a Keynote Speech at the 34th EAAP Conference, September 28–October 2, 2020 in Gibraltar (http://conference.eaap.net).Harald KolrepEditor-in-ChiefAviation Psychology and Applied Human FactorsContact: journal@eaap.netMichaela SchwarzEAAP PresidentContact: president@eaap.netReferences Müller, S., Roche, F., & Manzey, D. (2019). Attitude Indicator Format – How difficult is the transition between different reference systems? Aviation Psychology and Applied Human Factors, 9(2), 95–105. https://doi.org/10.1027/2192-0923/a000168 Link, Google ScholarFiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 10Issue 1March 2020ISSN: 2192-0923eISSN: 2192-0931 InformationAviation Psychology and Applied Human Factors (2020), 10, pp. 35-35 https://doi.org/10.1027/2192-0923/a000186.© 2020Hogrefe PublishingPDF download

Parallel Development of James J. Gibson’s Ecological and Paul M. Fitts’s Information Processing Approaches to Perception and Performance

Abstract James J. Gibson and Paul M. Fitts, two psychologists who had, and continue to have, a substantial influence on research in perception, action, and human performance, had remarkable, parallel careers with roots in the U.S. Army Air Forces Aviation Psychology program in World War II. Fitts is widely regarded as founder of the applied field of engineering psychology and the basic field of human performance, both based on a human information processing approach. Gibson founded ecological psychology, a school of thought that runs counter to the information processing approach and adopts a radical empiricist approach to perception and action in natural environments. Despite the origins of their disparate views in applied aviation psychology and each having had major impacts on the field of psychology, Gibson and Fitts seem to have had little contact with each other, and their research traditions have continued primarily along separate paths to this day. In this article, we review the arcs of Fitts’s and Gibson’s careers, emphasizing similarities and differences historically and theoretically. We end with a discussion of why their approaches differed widely, whether attempts to reconcile them can be meaningful, and the importance of experimental psychologists attending to applied research problems.