Aviation psychology, also called aerospace psychology, examines the psychological aspects of aviation, aiming to improve efficiency, guide applicant selection, identify the psychological causes of accidents, and apply cognitive psychology to understand the behaviors, actions, cognitive and emotional processes, and interactions of flight personnel. The field originated in the 1920s in the USSR out of aviation medicine and the developing field of work psychology, and it addresses how a person's separation from the ground drastically alters their spatial orientation; accelerations, changes in barometric pressure and shifts in atmospheric composition substantially affect the nervous system, demanding uninterrupted concentration and rapid decision-making from pilots and crew. Contemporary aviation psychology research is largely conducted within the broader framework of engineering psychology.
Facts
Central QuestionHow psychological factors, human performance limits and cognitive processes affect safety, applicant selection and decision-making in aviation. 1 Key DebateWhether aviation psychology still stands as its own distinct discipline or is now more accurately described as an application of engineering psychology, since current research in the field develops inside that broader framework. 1 Sources
1. Wikipedia: Aviation psychology
Wikimedia FoundationLead section, opening sentence
Aviation psychology, also known as aerospace psychology, is a branch of psychology that studies psychological aspects of aviation, increasing efficiency improving selection of applicants for occupations, identification of psychological causes of aircraft accidents, and application of cognitive psychology to understand human behaviors, actions, cognitive and emotional processes in aviation, and interaction between employees.
Lead section, closing sentence
Currently, research in aviation psychology develops within the framework of engineering psychology.
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