The effect of group polarisation on perceived invulnerability in general aviation pilots

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Author(s)
Lee, Paul
Gilbey, Andrew
Griffith University Author(s)
Year published
2012
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
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 ...
View more >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.
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View more >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.
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Journal Title
Aeronautica
Volume
2
Issue
2
Publisher URI
Copyright Statement
© The Author(s) 2012. The attached file is reproduced here in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher. For information about this journal please refer to the journal’s website or contact the authors.
Subject
Air Transportation and Freight Services