Date of Award

Spring 2008

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Psychology

Program/Concentration

Psychology

Committee Director

James P. Bliss

Committee Member

Mark Scerbo

Committee Member

Ivan Ash

Call Number for Print

Special Collections LD4331.P65 N49 2008

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of alarm reliability and relevance on pilots' trust. perceived relevance, alarm response frequency and time. Twenty pilots flew a simulated aircraft roundtrip from Dulles to Boston Logan and responded to 20 pressurization alarms. Alarm system reliability using two levels (60%, 80% true alarms) and system relevance with two levels (high at altitudes above 25,000 feet (ft) mean sea level (MSL), low below 25,000 ft MSL) were manipulated within groups. Results indicated participants perceived alarms above 25,000 ft MSL as more relevant and responded faster and more often to them. Participants responded to alarms regardless of system reliability yet they indicated greater trust in the more reliable system. These findings have important training implications for commercial aviation. Pilots follow alarm procedures regardless of reliability however perceived relevance influences pilots' alarm responses.

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