Doctoral Dissertation:
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Abstract
This dissertation presents a novel approach to improving aviation safety that focuses on the sociotechnical framework of the flight deck. By analyzing data from 1,600 experienced pilots from a leading US airline, I find that advanced interpersonal skills training plays a pivotal role in safety improvement by optimizing risk mitigation strategies in reducing pilots' self-silencing behaviors. Teaching pilots previously untaught skills such as bias literacy, psychological safety, interpersonal communication, and resilience can optimize risk mitigation and improve the efficacy of Crew Resource Management (CRM) and Threat and Error Management (TEM).
I utilize a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative data from a longitudinal analysis of survey data centered around a lecture-based training intervention with qualitative insights from semi-structured interviews. The intervention led to a statistically significant greater endorsement of interpersonal skills, particularly among non-prototype pilots (women and non-White male aviators). A model I call the “Safety Voice Reduction Sequence” illustrates the detrimental impact of certain captain behaviors on psychological safety in the flight deck microculture.
Another model I term the “Optimized Risk Mitigation Model for Sociotechnical Systems” (a model emphasizing advanced interpersonal skills training to increase the resilience of the sociotechnical system) introduces a transformative approach to pilot human factors training rooted in empirical research findings. This model advocates for the inclusion of specialized training content aimed at bolstering interpersonal skills capabilities within flight operations, directly contributing to enhanced safety outcomes and optimized risk mitigation strategies.
This dissertation underscores the critical importance of enhancing interpersonal skills among pilots through specialized training interventions, revealing how addressing self-silencing behaviors and fostering psychological safety can significantly improve aviation safety by optimizing risk mitigation within the sociotechnical framework of the flight deck.
I utilize a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative data from a longitudinal analysis of survey data centered around a lecture-based training intervention with qualitative insights from semi-structured interviews. The intervention led to a statistically significant greater endorsement of interpersonal skills, particularly among non-prototype pilots (women and non-White male aviators). A model I call the “Safety Voice Reduction Sequence” illustrates the detrimental impact of certain captain behaviors on psychological safety in the flight deck microculture.
Another model I term the “Optimized Risk Mitigation Model for Sociotechnical Systems” (a model emphasizing advanced interpersonal skills training to increase the resilience of the sociotechnical system) introduces a transformative approach to pilot human factors training rooted in empirical research findings. This model advocates for the inclusion of specialized training content aimed at bolstering interpersonal skills capabilities within flight operations, directly contributing to enhanced safety outcomes and optimized risk mitigation strategies.
This dissertation underscores the critical importance of enhancing interpersonal skills among pilots through specialized training interventions, revealing how addressing self-silencing behaviors and fostering psychological safety can significantly improve aviation safety by optimizing risk mitigation within the sociotechnical framework of the flight deck.
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Designing the Research
Topic: Enhancing Aviation Safety Models through Optimized Socio-Processing Capacity and Risk Mitigation in Sociotechnical Systems: Reconceptualizing Human Factors Training and Diversification of the Pilot Prototype
The dissertation proposes an interdisciplinary approach to augment aviation safety by integrating advanced human factors training in the sociotechnical framework of the flight deck. It addresses the reduction of safety voice due to pilots' self-silencing behaviors and posits that competency-based training and assessment of novel interpersonal skills such as bias literacy, psychological safety, interpersonal communication, and resilience can optimize risk mitigation and improve the efficacy of Crew Resource Management (CRM) and Threat and Error Management (TEM). The empirical outcomes of the dissertation’s experiment (a lecture-based training intervention) elucidate an improved endorsement of the applicability of novel interpersonal skills relative to safety.
The Safety Voice Reduction Sequence emerged as a key finding, illustrating the detrimental impact of certain captain behaviors on psychological safety in the flight deck microculture. The Optimized Risk Mitigation Model for Sociotechnical Systems introduces a transformative approach to pilot human factors training rooted in empirical research findings. This model advocates for the inclusion of specialized training content aimed at bolstering socio-processing capabilities within flight operations, directly contributing to enhanced safety outcomes and optimized risk mitigation strategies. This dissertation calls for a substantive transformation in human performance training. It posits that such a transformation, achieved through the enhanced socio-processing capabilities of pilots, will catalyze a cultural shift conducive to diversifying the pilot demographic. This shift is pivotal in evolving a robust aviation safety culture and in elevating the efficacy of existing safety models, thereby reinforcing the industry’s commitment to progressive change and the safety of its operations.
The Safety Voice Reduction Sequence emerged as a key finding, illustrating the detrimental impact of certain captain behaviors on psychological safety in the flight deck microculture. The Optimized Risk Mitigation Model for Sociotechnical Systems introduces a transformative approach to pilot human factors training rooted in empirical research findings. This model advocates for the inclusion of specialized training content aimed at bolstering socio-processing capabilities within flight operations, directly contributing to enhanced safety outcomes and optimized risk mitigation strategies. This dissertation calls for a substantive transformation in human performance training. It posits that such a transformation, achieved through the enhanced socio-processing capabilities of pilots, will catalyze a cultural shift conducive to diversifying the pilot demographic. This shift is pivotal in evolving a robust aviation safety culture and in elevating the efficacy of existing safety models, thereby reinforcing the industry’s commitment to progressive change and the safety of its operations.
My Industry Research on Safety Culture
PILOTING TOWARD PSYCHOLOGICAL
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AVIATION INTERNATIONAL NEWSArticle: Air Charter Safety Symposium highlights positive workplace culture issues quoting Perkins research
written by Kerry Lynch, AIN Published June 2022 |
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AVIATION INTERNATIONAL NEWSArticle: Air Charter Safety Symposium highlights positive workplace culture issues quoting Perkins research
written by Kerry Lynch, AIN Published April 2022 |
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