Cognitive Style and Flight Experience Influence on Confirmation Bias in Lost Procedures

Area of Science:

• Aviation Psychology
• Cognitive Science
• Human Factors in Aviation

Background:

• Confirmation bias negatively impacts pilot decision-making during lost procedures, posing a significant aviation safety risk.
• The precise mechanisms of confirmation bias in lost procedures remain incompletely understood.
• Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing effective safety interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the underlying mechanisms of confirmation bias in pilots during lost procedures.
• To examine the influence of cognitive style (verbal-imagery) and experience level on confirmation bias.
• To explore the role of strategic choices in mitigating confirmation bias.

Main Methods:

• Two experiments utilizing scenario-based map-reading tasks were conducted.
• Experiment 1 assessed the impact of cognitive style and experience on confirmation bias in undergraduate students and flying cadets.
• Experiment 2 focused on the influence of strategic choices on confirmation bias in flying cadets.

Main Results:

• Confirmation bias was evident in pilots' responses during lost procedures.
• Individuals with a visualizer cognitive style showed less confirmation bias than verbalizers.
• Pilot experience, particularly strategic choices, significantly reduced confirmation bias, especially for verbalizers.

Conclusions:

• Cognitive style and experience level are key factors influencing confirmation bias in aviation.
• Targeted training and selection processes focusing on cognitive attributes and strategic decision-making can mitigate confirmation bias.
• Implementing these measures can enhance aviation safety by improving pilot judgment in critical situations.