Subscribe
The latest psychology and neuroscience discoveries.
My Account
  • Mental Health
  • Social Psychology
  • Cognitive Science
  • Psychopharmacology
No Result
View All Result
PsyPost
PsyPost
No Result
View All Result
Home Exclusive Aviation Psychology and Human Factors

A mnemonic procedure could improve decision-making in pilots who experience the startle effect in-flight

by Eric W. Dolan
October 4, 2020
in Aviation Psychology and Human Factors

[Follow PsyPost on LinkedIn to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in psychology and neuroscience]

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

A mnemonic-like procedure could help pilots overcome startle and surprise, according to new research published in The International Journal of Aerospace Psychology. The study suggests that such a procedure can improve decision-making in the wake of an unexpected event.

“It is becoming more and more clear that the ‘startle effect’ can be a huge problem for pilots when they respond to an emergency. Modern pilot training is focusing therefore on how to psychologically deal with startle,” explained study author Annemarie Landman (@hm_landman), researcher at TNO in The Netherlands and the Delft University of Technology.

“One way to do this is by using a decision-making aid or procedure, which pilots can memorize by means of a mnemonic. This can help pilots to realize which steps to take when they feel ‘paralyzed’ by startle. Several of such decision-making procedures are already being used by airline companies, but we found that none of these involved a step to specifically deal with startle and its disorienting effects.”

The researchers developed their own startle management procedure and tested its effectiveness using a group of 24 airline pilots.

“The procedure we tested was based on the ‘COOL’ mnemonic: Calm down – take a deep breath, relax your shoulders and become aware of your control inputs, Observe – scan the important flight parameters without focusing on the problem yet, Outline – now focus on the problem: what doesn’t make sense, or what do you think is going on?, Lead – make a plan and take action.”

The pilots first practiced takeoffs, landings, and other maneuvers in a full-motion flight simulator to familiarize themselves with the model of aircraft used for the study. (A Piper PA-34 Seneca III.) They then received a 10-minute briefing about the startle effect, and half of them (the experimental group) also received instructions and practice regarding the COOL procedure.

After the briefing, the pilots returned to the simulator to complete more training sessions. Some of these sessions included startling events, such as bird strike that resulted in a false stall warning or a sudden shift in the aircraft’s center of gravity. In the video below, a pilot in the study responds to an unexpected flap malfunction prior to landing.

About 89% of pilots in the the experimental group reported using the COOL procedure during startling scenarios, and most found it helpful. “We found that pilots generally liked the procedure, especially the Calm down and Observe steps. But more importantly, we found that they made better decisions when using it,” Landman told PsyPost.

For example, those who used the COOL procedure after experiencing a flap malfunction were less likely to inappropriately set the flaps even lower as they prepared to land.

However, pilots who used the COOL procedure had worse flight performance on average compared to those who did not. The “immediate responses were significantly less optimal” in the experimental group, the researchers said. Some pilots jumped to the Observe step of the procedure before recovering full control of the aircraft.

“The experiment also showed that the ‘COOL’ procedure can be improved in certain ways. For instance, high stress and/or eagerness resulted in some pilots executing the procedure too quickly after a problem occurred. They were focusing too much on executing the procedure steps instead of dealing with more pressing issues at hand. Such misdirected prioritizing under stress is a known problem that happens sometimes in real emergencies as well,” Landman explained.

“We also found that the procedure, although it seems very simple, was experienced by some pilots as too complex and distracting. When stressed, we naturally avoid those things that are complex and unfamiliar. So, a procedure like this should really be as simple as possible and it should be trained until it is a natural response.”

The study, “The Effectiveness of a Mnemonic-Type Startle and Surprise Management Procedure for Pilots“, was authored by Annemarie Landman, Sophie H. van Middelaar, Eric L. Groen, M. M. (René) van Paassen, Adelbert W. Bronkhorst, and Max Mulder.

(Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay)

ShareTweetSendScanShareSharePinSend
Previous Post

New study shows how female masturbation impacts partnered sex

Next Post

Horror fandom linked to reduced psychological distress amid the COVID-19 pandemic

STAY CONNECTED

TRENDING

Scientists raise concerns about the potential link between chronic microdosing of psychedelics and valvular heart disease

Anxiously attached individuals have stronger cortisol reactivity when anticipating a conflict with a partner

Study suggests lack of positive feelings during social interactions could help explain isolation in people with suicidality

New psychology research shows how narcissistic tendencies influence perceptions of intellectual humility

Interesting link between self-alienation and death anxiety uncovered by new psychology research

Genetics and concussion – why a minor knock can be devastating for some people

RECENT

New study shines a light on men’s unconscious attraction to fertility cues in women’s faces

Genetics and concussion – why a minor knock can be devastating for some people

Interesting link between self-alienation and death anxiety uncovered by new psychology research

Lifestyle pages on Facebook are a significant contributor to the spread of fake news, study finds

Shy teens with shy best friends might be more prone to depression, study finds

Single-session exposure therapy: A game-changer for phobia treatment?

Scientists raise concerns about the potential link between chronic microdosing of psychedelics and valvular heart disease

Anxiously attached individuals have stronger cortisol reactivity when anticipating a conflict with a partner

Currently Playing

Study identifies factors that influence the link between men’s body esteem and their ability to enjoy their sexuality

Study identifies factors that influence the link between men’s body esteem and their ability to enjoy their sexuality

Study identifies factors that influence the link between men’s body esteem and their ability to enjoy their sexuality

Body Image and Body Dysmorphia
New psychology research shows how narcissistic tendencies influence perceptions of intellectual humility

New psychology research shows how narcissistic tendencies influence perceptions of intellectual humility

Narcissism
Unintended pregnancies take a toll on the mental health of new fathers

Unintended pregnancies take a toll on the mental health of new fathers

Mental Health
New study provides insight into the psychological core of dark personality traits

Four distinct trajectories of psychopathic traits identified among youth in the legal system

Psychopathy
Social working memory abnormalities may be a neurocognitive mechanism underlying poorer social connection in PTSD

Exposure to wood smoke leads to complex and long-lasting neuroinflammatory and neurometabolomic alterations

Mental Health
People who were better supervised by parents as early adolescents tend to have higher earnings as adults

People who were better supervised by parents as early adolescents tend to have higher earnings as adults

Business
  • Cognitive Science
  • COVID-19
  • Mental Health
  • Social Psychology
  • Drug Research
  • Conspiracy Theories
  • Meditation
  • Psychology of Religion
  • Aviation Psychology and Human Factors
  • Relationships and Sexual Health
  • Evolutionary Psychology
  • Neuroimaging
  • Psychedelic Drugs
  • Dark Triad
  • Political Psychology

About

PsyPost is a psychology and neuroscience news website dedicated to reporting the latest research on human behavior, cognition, and society. (READ MORE...)

  • Contact us
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy policy
  • Terms and Conditions
Subscribe
  • My Account
  • Cognitive Science Research
  • Mental Health Research
  • Social Psychology Research
  • Drug Research
  • Relationship Research
  • About PsyPost
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist