Research article summary (published 20 Jul 2008):

Expertise and age differences in pilot decision making.

Full Abstract

We examined the influence of age and expertise on pilot decision making. Older and younger expert and novice pilots read at their own pace scenarios describing simpler or more complex flight situations. Then in a standard interview they discussed the scenario problem and how they would respond. Protocols were coded for identification of problem and solutions to this problem, and frequency of elaborations on problem and solution. Scenario comprehension was measured as differential reading time allocation to problem-critical information and scenario memory by the accuracy of answering questions about the scenarios after the interview. All groups accurately identified the problems, but experts elaborated problem descriptions more than novices did. Experts also spent more time reading critical information in the complex scenarios, which may reflect time needed to develop elaborate situation models of the problems. Expertise comprehension benefits were similar for older and younger pilots. Older experts were especially likely to elaborate the problem compared to younger experts, while older novices were less likely to elaborate the problem and to identify appropriate solutions compared to their younger counterparts. The findings suggest age invariance in knowledge-based comprehension relevant to pilot decision making.

Author information

Author/s: Morrow, Daniel G (DG); Miller, Lisa M Soederberg (LM); Ridolfo, Heather E (HE); Magnor, Clifford (C); Fischer, Ute M (UM); Kokayeff, Nina K (NK); Stine-Morrow, Elizabeth A L (EA);

Affiliation: Institute of Aviation, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Savoy, IL 244-8757, USA. dgm(-atsign-)uiuc.edu

Grants: R01 AG13935 (Agency:NIA NIH HHS) ; R01 AG13936 (Agency:NIA NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

Journal: Neuropsychology, development, and cognition. Section B, Aging, neuropsychology and cognition (Neuropsychol Dev Cogn B Aging Neuropsychol Cogn), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-; vol 16 (issue 1) : pp 33-55

Dates: Created 2008/12/16; Completed 2009/01/27;

PMID: 18649153, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adolescent Adult Aging - psychology Aircraft Aviation Decision Making Female Humans

Interviews as Topic Male Mental Recall Middle Aged Problem Solving Professional Competence Reading Young Adult

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