Pilot Personality Testing and the Emperor's New Clothes

Besco, Robert O.

doi:10.1177/106480469400200109

Cited by 9 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…The second and more recent meta-analysis of personality as a predictor of pilot performance (Martinussen, 1996) produced mean effects of .14 with a pass-fail criterion, and .11 with pilot performance rating criterion (based on 5,771 observations from 19 studies and 1,719 observations from 4 studies, respectively). The findings of these two studies have reinforced the view that personality assessment is poorly suited to personnel classification and selection within aviation milieu (Besco, 1994). However, prior to dismissing personality assessment as a component of aviation selection, there are key limitations of previous meta-analyses that should be considered.…”

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confidence: 78%

Meta-Analysis of Personality Assessments as Predictors of Military Aviation Training Success

Campbell

Castaneda

Pulos

2009

The International Journal of Aviation Psychology

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Results from a meta-analysis of studies using personality constructs to predict military aviation training outcomes are reported. From the 26 studies that reported effects of personality as predictors of aviation training outcome, the constructs of neuroticism (K = 7), extroversion (K = 8), and anxiety (K = 4) appeared most frequently. Meta-analysis effects were derived using both random effects and artifact distribution model. Uncorrected effects from the random effects model produced the largest mean effect for neuroticism (r meta = -.15), followed by extroversion (r meta = .13), and anxiety (r meta = -.11). Corrections for predictor reliability and range restriction produced the greatest increase in the validity coefficient for neuroticism (r corr = -.25), implying more psychometrically reliable and sensitive instruments could substantially improve the predictive validity of personality assessments in aviation selection contexts. The results confirmed the hypothesis that neuroticism and its facet anxiety would be negatively related to training success, and that extroversion would share a positive relationship with training success in military aviation.

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confidence: 78%

Meta-Analysis of Personality Assessments as Predictors of Military Aviation Training Success

Campbell

Castaneda

Pulos

2009

The International Journal of Aviation Psychology

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“…Gann (1961), for example, described the capacity of seasoned pilots to cope with every situation by mentally preparing alternative courses of action: "Expecting the worst, they skipped an emotion when trouble appeared, and thus moved without pausing, through disappointment to decision and action" (Gann, 1961, p. 84). Besco (1994) has described a mix of characteristics that differentiate good from mediocre pilots. These include enhanced "situational awareness" allowing anticipation of errors and corrective courses of action, emotional stability, and positive interactions with other crew members.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Cognitive Ability Determinants of Elite Pilot Performance

O’Hare

1997

Hum Factors

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The role of the modern pilot requires a high degree of situational awareness. This involves the ability to search for relevant information, assess opportunities and priorities, and maintain performance under stress. The PC-based WOMBAT test has been designed to measure individual aptitude to cope with such demands. In the first experiment performance on the WOMBAT test was compared with performance on a battery of tests of specific underlying abilities. In the second experiment the performance of elite soaring pilots was compared with that of matched pilot and control groups. The results support the theory that the WOMBAT test measures individual ability to maintain situational awareness and that this ability is found in high levels in elite pilots.

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“…Whereas the distinctive personality of pilots is the stuff of lore (Wolfe, 1979), the formal assessment of the personality structure of a pilot applicant is far less fabled, with Besco (1994) leading the charge (claiming lack of replication or cross-validation, biases, and contamination in performance criteria, and the transparency of easily faked testing instruments) against personality assessment of pilots. Besco's insistence that only validated instruments and objective performance criteria be used was heeded by King, Retzlaff, Barto, Ree, and Teachout (2012) in Downloaded by [Tulane University] at 19:31 27 September 2014 their recent personality testing and pilot training outcomes validation study.…”

Section: Select-inmentioning

confidence: 99%

Personality (and Psychopathology) Assessment in the Selection of Pilots

King

2014

The International Journal of Aviation Psychology

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Pilot Personality Testing and the Emperor's New Clothes

Cited by 9 publications

References 16 publications

Meta-Analysis of Personality Assessments as Predictors of Military Aviation Training Success

Meta-Analysis of Personality Assessments as Predictors of Military Aviation Training Success

Cognitive Ability Determinants of Elite Pilot Performance

Personality (and Psychopathology) Assessment in the Selection of Pilots

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