Date of Award

Spring 2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Psychology

Committee Director

Yusuke Yamani

Committee Member

Xiao Yang

Committee Member

Cassie R. Glenn

Abstract

The present study examined the theory of system-wide trust within the context of a multi-tasking aviation environment. Previous research suggested that unreliable automation can negatively affect a human operator’s trust in reliable automation within the same system (Rice & Geels-Blair, 2010). However, previous studies have not looked at how trust develops in the context of a multi-tasking environment, nor how different types of errors may affect trust in and the use behavior of automation. The current study employed a 2 x 2 mixed design with drone reliability (60% reliable vs 90% reliable) and error bias (false alarm vs. miss errors) as conditions. Participants were tasked to monitor two drones as they navigated to goal locations, while simultaneously managing an automated collision avoidance aid. Results indicated evidence that participants employed a system-wide trust strategy when interacting with two automated drones. Data patterns for trust, dependency behavior, and performance behavior indicate that the presence of a low-reliability drone negatively impacted trust in, and use of, a perfectly reliable drone. These results imply that unreliable automation may hinder automation trust, dependency behavior, and operator performance.

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ISBN

9798197809216

ORCID

0009-0002-8810-2687

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Psychology Commons

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