The Impact of Making Targeted Dimensions Transparent on Relations With Typical Performance Predictors

The research presented here investigated the impact of making targeted dimensions transparent to participants prior to their performance of a simulation exercise, on the level of dimension ratings and their correlations with typical performance predictors. Results from two studies, both employing between-subjects designs, showed that conceptually matched typical performance predictors were more positively associated with dimension ratings when targeted dimensions were not made transparent than when they were. In addition, only when targeted dimensions were not made transparent did conceptually matched typical performance predictors correlate more positively with dimension ratings than conceptually distinct typical performance predictors. Finally, those who were made aware of targeted dimensions received higher mean ratings in Study 1 but not in Study 2.     

Investigating linear and interactive effects of shared mental models on safety and efficiency in a field setting

Linkages between 2 types of shared mental models (SMMs)--that is, positional-goal interdependencies and cue-strategy associations--and effectiveness in an air traffic control environment were investigated. Two types of SMMs were expected to contribute uniquely, as well as interact, to predict tower safety and efficiency. Using SMM data from 306 air traffic controllers, and corresponding archival efficiency and safety measures for 47 airports, the authors found no significant linear relationships between SMMs and either outcome measure. However, the 2 SMMs interacted with one another to predict both outcomes. Results are discussed in terms of the importance of measuring multiple types of SMMs, the examination of complex relationships, and the importance of indexing decisions.     

To transfer or not to transfer? Investigating the combined effects of trainee characteristics, team leader support, and team climate

Eighty pilots participated in a study of variables influencing the transfer process. Posttraining performance was assessed in a flight simulation under 1 of 2 conditions. Those in the maximum performance condition were made aware of the skill to be assessed and the fact that their teammates were confederates, whereas those in the typical performance condition were not. The results indicated that (a) simulator ratings correlated with a measure of transfer to the cockpit for those in the typical condition only; (b) team leader support, manipulated in a pretask brief, moderated the disparity between maximum and typical performance; (c) team climate mediated the impact of support on performance in the typical condition; (d) those with a stronger predisposition toward the trained skill viewed their climate as more supportive; and (e) perceptions of team climate were better predictors of performance for those with a more external locus of control.