Psychological Factors Measured in the Differential Officer Battery

Helme, William H.; Willemin, Louis P.; Day, Roberta W.

doi:10.21236/ad0737685

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…This paper explains how social simulations can be utilized to assess and train leaders to make effective decisions in turbulent environments. The methodology is based on the finding that “prior exposure to a wide variety of demands in an unfamiliar setting provides a reliable measure of behavior, which generalizes beyond single specific situations and therefore may be expected to generalize to other situations belonging to the same factorial domains” (Helme et al , 1971). Simulations of two complex and turbulent environments (a lunar moon colony and a military combat command) were created to assess and train leaders to make effective decisions under conditions of uncertainty, complexity, and stress.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Using social simulations to assess and train potential leaders to make effective decisions in turbulent environments

Hunsaker

2007

Career Development International

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe two social simulations created to assess leadership potential and train leaders to make effective decisions in turbulent environments. One is set in the novel environment of a lunar moon colony and the other is a military combat command. The research generated from these simulations for assessing the decision effectiveness of potential leaders with different personality traits and decision styles under varying degrees of information quantity, uncertainty and complexity is summarized. Opportunities and limitations of applying current computer assisted technology to social simulations for assessing and developing leaders' decision effectiveness in turbulent environments is discussed.Design/methodology/approachCollege undergraduates and officer candidates in university ROTC programs made a series of decisions while being subjected to varying degrees of environmental turbulence in social simulations. The decision effectiveness of subjects with different personality characteristics under varying degrees of environmental turbulence was assessed through researcher observations, self‐reports, and peer ratings.FindingsSocial simulations are a cost effective way to assess and train leaders to make effective decisions in turbulent environments. The results of controlled experiments in social simulations have suggested that leaders with high levels of cognitive complexity and incongruity adaptation are more likely to be successful in highly turbulent environments than leaders with lower levels of incongruity adaptation ability and cognitive complexity who are more effective in more stable and structured situations.Research limitations/implicationsThe ease of modifying computer games renders them effective as low‐cost virtual worlds that have relevance in military leadership experimentation. However, the use of computer simulations alone fails to capture the impact that relationships and emotions have on leader decision making, highlighting the continuing need for social simulations that include these interpersonal aspects of decision making.Practical implicationsBy participating in realistic social simulations, leaders can experiment with new decision styles without the risk of making real world mistakes that could jeopardize their own and their organization's future. The leaders who are most successful in adapting their decision style to the more complex requirements can be identified for promotion or assignment to appropriate settings.Originality/valueBoth military and civilian organizations are in need of cost effective way to assess and train leaders to make effective decisions in turbulent environments. Social simulations provide a unique approach to meeting these needs and can simultaneously provide a venue for research in associated areas.

show abstract

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Using social simulations to assess and train potential leaders to make effective decisions in turbulent environments

Hunsaker

2007

Career Development International

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Military Research on Performance Criteria: A Change of Emphasis

Uhlaner

Drucker

1980

Hum Factors

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This paper discusses trends in development and use of performance measures to meet complex needs of the U.S. Army. Examples from the programs of the Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences include typical major criteria of individual effectiveness (school grades, ratings, performance tests); measures of unit effectiveness more recently developed (tactical engagement simulation); and measures dealing with human factors problems encountered in systems analysis in the Army. The way in which performance criteria have changed over the years is emphasized.

show abstract

Psychological Factors Measured in the Differential Officer Battery

Cited by 3 publications

References 0 publications

Using social simulations to assess and train potential leaders to make effective decisions in turbulent environments

Using social simulations to assess and train potential leaders to make effective decisions in turbulent environments

Military Research on Performance Criteria: A Change of Emphasis

Relationship Between Leader Knowledge, Directive Behavior, and Performance in Administrative, Technical, and Combat Situations

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About