The Effect of Group Polarisation on Perceived Invulnerability in General Aviation Pilots

Abstract

People who perceive themselves as relatively invulnerable to negative events may be more likely to engage in the kinds of behaviours that make the negative events more probable, while group polarisation refers to a tendency for groups to make decisions that are more extreme than those of individual group members. Accordingly, it was predicted that, following discussion, two pilots may experience greater levels of perceived invulnerability than either would when flying alone. Seventy-eight participants completed a measure of invulnerability whilst alone and then again following discussion with a peer. Contrary to expectation, invulnerability scores in pairs were significantly lower than those of participants alone. Participants who scored highest on perceived invulnerability whilst alone tended to show greater reductions in invulnerability when in pairs. The current findings suggest that groups of pilots may be less likely than lone pilots to be susceptible to perceived invulnerability.