Perceptual-psychomotor tests in aircrew selection: Historical review and advanced concepts

Passey, George E.; McLaurin, William A.

doi:10.1037/e482402008-001

Cited by 6 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 35 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In 1955, the United States Air Force (USAF) discontinued the use of apparatus-based testing as a component of its aircrew selection and classification system. Previously, several testing devices had provided perceptual and motor skill measures that were useful for classifying aircrew applicants into job specialties (pilot versus navigator) and for predicting preliminary flight training outcome (Passey & McLaurin, 1966). Apparatus-based testing was discontinued primarily for administrative reasons including (a) the decision to decentralize the selection process, and (b) the difficulty of keeping the electromechanical testing devices calibrated and the test administration procedures consistent across multiple test sites (McGrevy & Valentine, 1974).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cross Validation of Experimental USAF Pilot Training Performance Models

Carretta¹

1990

Military Psychology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

SPONSORING/ MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADORESS(ES)10. SPONSORING/ MONITORING AGENCY REPORT NUMBER SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES 12a. DISTRIBUTION/ AVAILABILITY STATEMENT 12b. DISTRIBUTION CODEApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited. "13. ABSTRACT (Maximum 200 words)> A series of studies have indicated that individual differences in hand-eye coordination, information processing ability, personality and attitudes are related to USAF pilot training performance. The current investigation was designed to cross-validate these results.Eight hundred eighty-five (885) USAF Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT) students were divided randomly into two groups.Pilot selection models that Lsed a combination of Air Force Officer Qualifying Test (AFOQT) and Basic Attributes Test (BAT) battery scores were developed independently for each group and then cross-validated with the other group.In the model development phase, subjects with good hand-eye coordination who made quick decisions were more likely to complete UPT successfully in both groups.Although there was some reduction in the validity coefficients in the cro!-s-validation phase, the selection models were related significantly to UPT final outcome in both groups.These results suggest that the AFOQT/BAT pilot selection models are sufficiently robust to be used as adjuncts to operational USAF pilot trainee selection procedures. SUBJECT TERMS SUMMARYThe Basic Attributes Test (BAT) battery Is a computerized test battery designed to measure individual differences In psychomotor skills, information processing abilities, personality and attitudes. In previous studies, several of these tests have demonstrated utility for supporting USAF pilot selection decisions and adding to the predictive validity of the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test (AFOQT), the ability measure currently Included In the USAF pilot selection process.The purpose of this study was to cross-validate pilot selection models that used a comblnation of AFOOT and BAT test scores to determine the generalizability of the original prediction models reported in Carretta (1989). To perform the cross-validation, 885 USAF Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT) students were assigned randomly to two groups. Pilot selection models that used a combination of AFOOT and BAT test scores were developed independerdy for each group. The "best-fitting" regression weights from each group were then applied to subjects In the other group to determine the generalizability of the regression solutions.In the model development phase, subjects with good hand-eye coordination who made quick and accurate decisions were more likely to complete UPT successfully In both groups. Although there was some reduction in the validity coefficients In the cross-validation phase, the selection models were related significantly to UPT final outcome in both groups. These results suggest that the AFOOTiBAT pilot selection models are robust enough to be used as adjuncts to operational USAF pilot trainee selection procedures.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cross Validation of Experimental USAF Pilot Training Performance Models

Carretta¹

1990

Military Psychology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Among these tests were measures of psychomotor coordination and control, movingpicture tests of velocity estimation, landing judgement, and flexibility of attention. Other tests included reaction time and discrimination reaction time (Gibson 1947;Melton 1947;Passey and McLaurin 1966). In developing these apparatus tests, the World War II researchers were reaching back nearly four decades to the beginnings of validity analyses when Hugo Munsterberg used a brake-lever-pulling test to select drivers for a`municipal railroad' (horse and trolley cars).…”

Section: Historical Antecedentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Computerized Testing in the United States Air Force

Ree¹,

Carretta²

1998

Int J Selection Assessment

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Computerized testing in the United States Air Force finds its historical beginnings in apparatus tests developed during World War II. The advent of fast, small, and inexpensive computers led to the establishment of a research program to use computers in pilot selection. Later, computerized tests were demonstrated for more familiar aptitude measures such as verbal and quantitative ability. Several large-scale efforts to implement computerized testing have proved informative. Many Air Force tests are routinely administered by computer. Continued advances in computer technology promise to make computerized testing more common and more commonplace. Computer use in measuring physiological correlates of human ability is discussed.

show abstract

“…Measures of perceptual and psychomotor abilities were used by the U.S. Air Force (USAF) to predict flying training performance and classify aircrew members into job specialties as early as 1942 but their use was discontinued in 1955 (see Passey & McLaurin, 1966). However, in the late 1960s improvements in computer-based technology stimulated renewed interest in the development of perceptual and psychomotor tests for pilot candidate screening (Sanders, Valentine, & McGrevy, 1971).…”

Section: Introduction Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

Refinement of Scoring Procedures for the Basic Attributes Test (BAT) Battery

Lance¹,

Stewart²,

Carretta³

1993

PsycEXTRA Dataset

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Publication of this paper does not constitute approval or disapproval of the ideas or findings. It is published in the interest of scientific and technical information (STINFO) exchange.When Government drawings, specifications, or other data are used for any purpose other than in connection with a definitely Government-related procurement, the United States Government incurs no responsibility or any obligation whatsoever. The fact that the Government may have formulated or in any way supplied the said drawings, specifications, or other data, is not to be regarded by implication, or otherwise in any manner construed, as licensing the holder, or any other person or corporation; or as conveying any rights or permission to manufacture, use, or sell any patented invention that may in any way be related thereto.The Office of Public Affairs has reviewed this paper, and it is releasable to the National Technical Information Service, where it will be available to the general public, including foreign nationals. This paper has been reviewed and is approved for publication. Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. ABSTRACT (Maximum 200 words)The Basic Attributes Test (BAT) is a multiple aptitude cormputer-based battery designed to measure individual differences in psychomotor coordination, cognitive abilities, personality, and attitudes. The Air Force plans to operationally implement the BAT as a pilot candidate selection instrument in the near future. Scores from the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test, BAT, and biographical information will be combined in a new pilot candidate selection composite to predict undergraduate pilot training outcomes. Although much useful research has been done in the BAT battery, the need for additional psychometric research to improve test scoring procedures and predictive efficiency was identified. The purpose of this study was to investigate (a) the internal consistency of Rem-level test scores, (b) the effects of alternative scoring procedures (e.g., treatment of outliers, data transformations, alternate scoring algorithms) on internal consistency and validity, and (c) the factor structure of the BAT. Results showed that (a) internal consistencies of most BAT scores are acceptable, indicating that the constructs are being measured reliably, (b) neither censoring outlying data points nor transforming data had a significant impact on internal consistency or validity of BAT scores, (c) few alternative scoring procedures improved BAT score validity, (d) test scores relate to a meaningful factor structure, and (e) BAT scores can be combined into an efficient model for the prediction of undergraduate pilot training performance.

show abstract

Perceptual-psychomotor tests in aircrew selection: Historical review and advanced concepts

Cited by 6 publications

References 35 publications

Cross Validation of Experimental USAF Pilot Training Performance Models

Cross Validation of Experimental USAF Pilot Training Performance Models

Computerized Testing in the United States Air Force

Refinement of Scoring Procedures for the Basic Attributes Test (BAT) Battery

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About