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Helmreich, Robert L.

Publications and source records attributed to Helmreich, Robert L..

33 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1987

Making it without losing it: Type A, achievement motivation, and scientific attainment revisited

In a study by Matthews et al. (1980), responses by academic psychologists to the Jenkins Activity Survey for Health Prediction, a measure of the Type A construct, were found to be significantly, positively correlated with two measures of attainment, citations by others to published work and number of publications. In the present study, JAS responses from the Matthews et al. sample were subjected to a factor analysis with oblique rotation and two new subscales were developed on the basis of this analysis. The first, Achievement Strivings (AS) was found to be significantly correlated with both the publication and citation measures. The second scale, Impatience and Irritability (I/I), was uncorrelated with the achievement criteria. Data from other samples indicate that I/I is related to a number of health symptoms. The results suggest that the current formulation of the Type A construct may contain two components, one associated with positive achievement and the other with poor health.

Helmreich, Robert L.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Impatience versus achievement strivings in the Type A pattern: Differential effects on students' health and academic achievement

Psychometric analyses of college students' responses to the Jenkins Activity Survey, a self-report measure of the Type A behavior pattern, revealed the presence of two relatively independent factors. Based on these analyses, two scales, labeled Achievement Strivings (AS) and Impatience and Irritability (II), were developed. In two samples of male and female college students, scores on AS but not on II were found to be significantly correlated with grade point average. Responses to a health survey, on the other hand, indicated that frequency of physical complaints was significantly correlated with II but not with AS. These results suggest that there are two relatively independent factors in the Type A pattern that have differential effects on performance and health. Future research on the personality factors related to coronary heart disease and other disorders might more profitably focus on the syndrome reflected in the II scale than on the Type A pattern.

Spence, Janet T.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Exploring flightcrew behaviour

A program of research into the determinants of flightcrew performance in commercial and military aviation is described, along with limitations and advantages associated with the conduct of research in such settings. Preliminary results indicate significant relationships among personality factors, attitudes regarding flight operations, and crew performance. The potential theoretical and applied utility of the research and directions for further research are discussed.

Helmreich, Robert L.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Evaluating cockpit resource management training

The determinants of effective or ineffective cockpit resurce management and the difficulties these multiple factors pose for validation of the effectiveness of cockpit resource management (CRM) training are discussed. A model of an evaluation design that may be applied to this type of training is presented. Concept validation is discussed as well as criteria for judging crew proficiency. Attention is given to accidents and proficiency checks, incidents and repeated maneuvers, attitude measuremet, and self-report evauation of training.

Helmreich, Robert L.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Determinants of individual and group performance

A broad exploration of individual and group/organizational factors that influence performance in demanding environments such as space and air transport was undertaken. Primary efforts were directed toward defining critical issues, developing new methodologies for the assessment of performance in such environments, and developing new measures of personality and attitudes as predictors of performance. Substantial clarification of relevant issues for research and validation was achieved. A reliable instrument to assess crewmembers' attitudes regarding crew coordination and flightdeck management was validated. Major efforts in data collection to validate concepts were initiated. The results suggest that substantial improvements can be made in the prediction of performance and in the selection of crewmembers for aviation and space.

Helmreich, Robert L.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Living in contained environments: Research implications from undersea habitats

A cost-reward model is used to frame a discussion of differences in observed behavior of individuals and groups in confined environments. It has been observed that the high cost of functioning in a stressful environment is likely to produce poor performance when anticipated rewards are low but that participants can manage the stress and achieve high performance if they anticipate high rewards. The high-reward environment is exemplified by early undersea habitats such as Sealab and Tektite and by early space missions. Other aspects of behavior occur in all confined environments and point to an important area for future research. Of particular interest are intergroup conflicts arising between the confined group and its external control. Also, individual differences in personality seem always to have an impact in confined environments. Recent research has focused on: (1) predicting performance and adjustment based on instrumental and expressive aspects of the self; (2) the differential predictive power of achievement striving and irritation/irritability in Type A personalities; and (3) the nature and role of leadership in small, isolated groups.

Helmreich, Robert L.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Studying flight crew behavior: A social psychologist encounters the real world

Considerable social psychological research has been conducted on the relationship between personality and performance in various occupational settings. Of special interest are situations where the performer is under pressure or the consequences of poor performance can be serious, as in aircraft operation. Some significant findings are summarized, including those related to Type A personality factors, achievement motivation factors, and attitude factors. Future research should focus on group behavior.

Helmreich, Robert L.↗
NASA NTRS1986

The honeymoon effect in job performance - Temporal increases in the predictive power of achievement motivation

Correlations between a job performance criterion and personality measures reflecting achievement motivation and an interpersonal orientation were examined at three points in time after completion of job training for a sample of airline reservations agents. Although correlations between the personality predictors and performance were small and nonsignificant for the 3-month period after beginning the job, by the end of six and eight months a number of significant relationships had emerged. Implications for the utility of personality measures in selection and performance prediction are discussed.

Helmreich, Robert L.↗
NASA NTRS1985

The role of psychologists in future spaceflight

The need for psychologists to have a more active role in planning space missions is discussed. It is suggested that it would be beneficial if psychologists conducted research aimed at optimizing the organization, composition, and performance of crews; participated in the selection and training of crews; and monitored the actual performance and adjustment of crews during missions. The areas which require further research and the types of research strategies to be implemented are described. The desirable traits for future space personnel and the role of psychologists in mission control are examined.

Helmreich, Robert L.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Training - Behavioral and motivational solutions?

Psychological factors which govern interpersonal activities in the cockpit are examined. It is suggested that crew members should be selected based on personality characteristics required for the position and that training does not cause long lasting personality changes, it only teaches and improves task performance skills. The effects of mindlessness as defined by Langer (1978) and the attribution theory of Jones and Nisbett (1971) on flight deck communications and cockpit management are described. The needs for a new system of training crew members, with emphasis on strategies that induce cognitive processes and awareness, and for field investigations of pilots are discussed.

Helmreich, Robert L.↗
NASA NTRS1983

What changes and what endures - The capabilities and limitations of training and selection

The contributions of psychology to aviation in the areas of selection, training, and evaluation, and the implementation of new technologies are discussed. The concept of personality traits versus modification of human behavior through principles of learning are analyzed. Particular consideration is given to achievement motivation (defined in terms of mastery, work, and competitiveness) and the differences between traits and attitudes. It is argued that personality traits are important dimensions of the self and are useful measures of individual differences. The selection of individuals with desired personality characteristics and the training of personnel to improve crew coordination, flight-deck management, and interpersonal efficacy are examined.

Helmreich, Robert L.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Beyond face validity - A comment on Nicholls, Licht, and Pearl

In their discussion of the Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI; Bem, 1974) and the Personal Attributes Questionnaire (PAQ; Spence and Helmrich, 1978), Nicholls, et al. (1982) blur two issues. The first concerns the legitimacy of equating the clusters of gender-related personality traits tapped by these instruments with the global constructs of masculinity and feminity. The second concerns item similarity between the PAQ and BSRI M scales and measures of self-esteem and the question of whether the several instruments measure the same or separable constructs. Decisions about each of these issues involve complex considerations that do not directly involve face validity.

Spence, Janet T.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Explorations in achievement motivation

Recent research on the nature of achievement motivation is reviewed. A three-factor model of intrinsic motives is presented and related to various criteria of performance, job satisfaction and leisure activities. The relationships between intrinsic and extrinsic motives are discussed. Needed areas for future research are described.

Helmreich, Robert L.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Pilot selection and training

Personality and situational factors relevant to individual and group performance in highly demanding environments, such as those faced by astronauts or by jet transport crew, are discussed. It is emphasized that although technical competence and proficiency in pilot selection are prerequisites for safety, operating a modern jet transport is a group endeavor that requires the effective coordination of the entire crew. A self-report test battery for measuring positive and negative personality traits of pilot candidates, termed the Personal Characteristics Inventory, is described.

Helmreich, Robert L.↗