Human Factors Psychology Commons^™

Artificial Intelligence Decision Support And Pilot Performance, Aarohi Srivastava

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into aviation decision support systems (DSS) introduces new opportunities for pilots. While these systems offer considerable benefits, ensuring safe and optimal human-AI interaction requires further research. In the case of student pilots, trust calibration, system transparency, and appropriate reliance are all factors that influence the operational success of an integrated AI system. The systems are designed with the goal of decreasing cognitive workload, increasing situational awareness (SA), and providing data-based recommendations to help the pilot make quick and accurate decisions. This study will evaluate the effects of disclosed vs undisclosed AI accuracy on student …

Artificial Intelligence (Ai) In Mental Health: Perceptions Of Ai Therapists, Ulker Yusupova

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

This study explores how people perceive Artificial Intelligence (AI) therapists compared to human therapists, focusing on differences in empathy, effectiveness, and competence. As AI tools like ChatGPT and mental health chatbots become more commonly used for emotional support, it is important to understand how users evaluate them in comparison to human professionals. To begin addressing this, in the first part of the study, participants reviewed therapist-client conversation transcripts and identified whether they believed the therapist was human or AI-generated, helping us validate the materials for the main study. Notably, initial findings suggest that participants frequently relied more on surface-level language …

Is It Safe To Speak Up? A Theoretical Examination Of The Measurement Of Psychological Safety, Carissa Aumack

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

When working with teams, certain factors will dictate whether they function well or not, with one such factor being psychological safety. Psychological safety (PS) is determined by a shared belief that, within the team, it is safe to take interpersonal risks (Edmonson, 1999). This definition does not entirely encapsulate the concept of PS, as it focuses on the concept as a team-based belief and does not consider how individual beliefs of PS can differ from the collective. A cursory literature review was conducted (8 articles related to PS), and based on the findings, a nomological network (i.e., a representation of …

Quantitative Analysis Of A Single Operator’S Flight Behavior In Simulation, Zackrey Schraeder

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS), or more commonly known as drones, have become increasingly used for a variety of applications, and more research has emerged studying the human-machine interaction and pilot performance metrics. Current research focuses on desired behaviors or aggregated pilot data which does not provide a holistic picture of an individual pilot’s flight behaviors, which are shaped by their own experience, preferences, and risk tolerance. The study investigates whether an individual pilot’s flight behaviors can be considered a pattern or if there is enough flight-to-flight variability to consider the behaviors inconsistent. A series of 20 flights were conducted in …

Assessing Attachment To Ai: Understanding The Theoretical Correlations And Consequences, Brianna Broderick

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Current research on Artificial Intelligence (AI) focuses on its capabilities and our understanding of it as an instrumental tool (i.e., utility completing tasks). However, as its ability to replicate natural language improves through both text and voice, an ever-growing number of users have turned to AI for emotional companionship. Concern grows as prior research on technology dependency suggests AI bonding may lead to less interaction with others and, in extreme circumstances, has already led to cases of suicide and divorce. Kasturiaratna & Hartanto (2025) developed the AI Attachment (AIA) scale, consisting of three factors, which include: emotional closeness (i.e., personal …

Exploring Generation Z Pilots' Approach To Training Automation: An Interview Study, Mary Bender

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Introduction. Today's pilots learn to fly on aircraft with sophisticated automated systems, such as the G1000. Although automation can reduce workload, over-relying on this technology can lead to decreased situational awareness, complacency, and a loss in manual flying skills (Parasuraman, 2000; Parasuraman et al., 2000; Parasuraman & Wickens, 2017; Taylor et al., 2020). Instructor pilots, in turn, are faced with the challenge of teaching students how to leverage a system that can affect their performance, both positively and negatively. The purpose of this study was to explore the strategies and challenges that instructor pilots face when training students on automation. …

Motivational Outsourcing: Ai, Self-Determination, And The Changing Nature Of Adult Learning, Zoe Spanos

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly embedded into adult learning and higher education, serving not only as a support tool for cognitive aid but also as a system that can shape how learners regulate their motivation and engagement. This presentation examines how the use of AI in adult learning contexts may support or undermine self-determined motivation, drawing from Self-Determination Theory (SDT). It is a conceptual paper that draws on existing literature and theoretical analysis, examining AI reliance from minimal use to full automation across SDT's three basic psychological needs: autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Motivation is essential for learning, but the quality …

Why Are Motorcyclist Fatalities Increasing?, Caroline Deck, Ana Cruz Beltrami, Riley Curran, Crystal Cutler

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, from 2019 to 2023 there was a 26% increase of motorcycle crash deaths. In 2023, motorcycle crashes accounted for 15.5% of all crash fatalities in the United States, despite accounting for 3% of registered vehicles. This literature review investigates the contributing factors to the increasing motorcycle fatality rates. In this review, rider characteristics, vehicle factors, roadway environments, and policy are examined for contributions to increased risk. Previous literature has primarily focused on behavioral and demographic factors when investigating this problem. However, evidence suggests that the conditions affecting crash severity and survivability have …

Is Lane Splitting/Lane Filtering Safe Or Dangerous?, Anastacio Doucas Nolas, Sierra Juliano, Shawn De La Osa, Kimberly R. Williamson

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

This course-based research project examines whether lane splitting and lane filtering are inherently dangerous or whether their safety depends on human factors and traffic conditions. Using published crash, behavioral, and policy literature, the project compares how these motorcycle maneuvers affect riders and other road users across different roadway environments. The analysis distinguishes lane splitting, which occurs between moving lanes of traffic, from lane filtering, which typically occurs at low speeds in stopped or slow traffic queues. Findings suggest that safety cannot be explained by the maneuver alone. Instead, outcomes are shaped by speed differential, driver perception failures, rider workload, intersection …

Multimodal Interpretation Of Pilot–Controller Communications For Runway Safety Assurance And Enhanced Atc Situational Awareness., Chaebin Song, Juin Park

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Recent runway safety events have highlighted the importance of accurate and timely interpretation of pilot–controller communications, especially in complex airport environments where aircraft and ground vehicles interact on or near active movement areas. In light of the recent LaGuardia Airport collision, which has drawn attention to communication, coordination, and surface safety challenges, this project investigates how multimodal data can support air traffic controllers’ situational awareness and safety assurance. This study develops an in-progress framework that combines Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) of pilot–controller radio communications with ADS-B trajectory data to improve interpretation of operational intent and cross-check communications against observed aircraft …

Applying The Hfacs Framework: A Case Study Of Air Florida Flight 90, Ashley Perez-Galvan, Cenk Altinkum, Ryan Hunt

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Applying the HFACS Framework: A Case Study of Air Florida Flight 90 Abstract   This study applies the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS), a widely used safety framework for identifying human and organizational contributors to accidents to examine the crash of Air Florida Flight 90 crash on January 13, 1982. The accident occurred shortly after takeoff from Washington National Airport during severe winter weather, when the aircraft failed to gain sufficient lift and impacted a bridge before entering the Potomac River.   The goal this analysis is to understand how multiple layers of human and organizational factors contributed to this …

The Impact Of Environmental Contributing Factors In Spatial Disorientation And Non-Spatial Disorientation Related General Aviation Accidents, Victoria Cornaro, Molly Mersinger

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

The Impact of Environmental Contributing Factors in Spatial Disorientation and Non-Spatial Disorientation Related General Aviation Accidents   Spatial disorientation (SD) is an inherent risk of flying and with a high risk of resulting in a fatal accident (Gibbs et al, 2011). SD related accidents occur when a pilot’s perception of the aircraft altitude, position, or relative motion conflict with reality (Benson, 1999). SD accidents are significantly more likely to result in a fatality than non-SD cases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of different contributing factors on SD and non-SD general aviation accidents. We used the NTSB …

Customization That Clicks: Human Factors Evaluation Of A User-Centered Vehicle Customization System, Noah Clark, Shawn Mathura, Sarah Bailey, Paul Seal, Brandon Ibarra, Kailey Hrbek, Carissa Aumack, Kevin Sun, Olivia Honan, Kelly Nguyen, Caroline Deck, Brandon D. Dreslin

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Older adults (OAs) and drivers with disabilities (DwDs) often encounter challenges when customizing vehicle features (e.g., seat adjustment, lighting, climate control) because existing human-machine interfaces (HMIs) may not be designed to accommodate diverse sensory, motor, and cognitive capabilities. HarmonIQ is a biometric-based, user-centered vehicle customization system designed to improve accessibility and inclusivity for OAs and DwDs, developed by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) in collaboration with Bethune-Cookman University (BCU). This research, supported in part by the EcoCAR Electric Vehicle Challenge, builds on Fall 2024 proofs-of-concept and Spring 2025 initial development of HarmonIQ and its components, namely the driver profile software and …

Simplified Flight Controls For Urban Air Mobility (Uam), Sierra Martinez, Frank Cunningham Iv, Nicole Giordano, Olivia Honan, Katie Stubits, Heather Bond, Paul Seal, Brandon Ibarra

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Air taxis are meant to perform short-distance, lower-altitude flights in challenging terrain- whether it be maneuvering around skyscrapers in urban areas, or for emergency responders in remote, difficult to access areas. It is paramount that the control system is intuitive and user friendly, since air taxi pilots will likely receive less training than commercial airline pilots. The Human Factors Department is working to advance Urban Air Mobility (UAM) initiatives by evaluating alternative inceptors (ie. control systems) that might be used in Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) air taxi designs. The controller itself needs to have specific and distinct enough operations …

Nasa Micro-G Next Adjustable Tool Cart Handle, Lauren Manges, Montgomery Tompkins, Mira Giunta, Lucas Pulliam, Aaron Vera-Rodriguez, Abbigail Dipalma, Justin Campos

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Effectiveness, reliability, and dust resistance are essential for astronaut tools operating on the lunar surface, where vacuum exposure, temperature extremes, and abrasive regolith present severe design challenges. The 2026 NASA Micro-g NExT ATCH Challenge calls for a height-adjustable handle that accommodates the full anthropometric range of suited astronauts while maintaining mechanical durability in dusty conditions. Team Lunarticks presents L.A.T.C.H. (Locking Adjustable Telescoping Cart Handle)—a lightweight, ergonomic, and regolith-resistant device engineered for use during Artemis III surface operations. The handle adjusts between 35–47 inches, enabling astronauts from the 1st to 99th percentile to maneuver the tool cart comfortably and efficiently. A …

Case Study - China Airlines Flight 006, Jaxon Daniels, Ryan Lutwin, Jacob Patterson, Elizabeth Bosan, Ronyn Orrell

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

On February 19, 1985, China Airlines Flight 006, a regularly scheduled flight from Taipei, Taiwan, to Los Angeles, California, experienced a serious in-flight upset while cruising at high altitude. The aircraft subsequently entered a steep, uncontrolled spiral dive, during which it experienced extreme G-forces and sustained structural damage. After regaining control, the crew diverted the aircraft to San Francisco International Airport, where it landed safely (National Transportation Safety Board, 1986). The Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) framework helps to identify and analyse the organizational elements and conditions that lead to aviation accidents (Small, 2020). Aviation accidents are not …

Fatigue And Circadian Disruption In Long-Haul Ferry Pilots: Human Factors Challenges And Mitigation Strategies, Parneet Makkar

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Fatigue and circadian rhythm disruption present significant human factors challenges in long-haul aviation operations, particularly for ferry pilots (pilots responsible for transporting aircraft long distances between locations) who often travel across multiple time zones before beginning flight duties. Circadian rhythms regulate the human sleep-wake cycle and are closely tied to cognitive performance, alertness, and coordination. Rapid travel across time zones can disrupt these rhythms, producing symptoms commonly associated with jet lag such as sleep disturbances, fatigue, and reduced cognitive functioning. For ferry pilots, long travel periods and irregular schedules may increase the likelihood of fatigue before flight operations even begin. …

A Qualitative Analysis Of Human-Ai Interaction Through Animated Shapes, Kavya Dipen Shah, Angel Hinojosa, Caroline Deck

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

As technology becomes more advanced, it is important to understand how people perceive the intentions and abilities of machines. This project, conducted in the InTeRACT Lab, explores how we attribute humanlike qualities to different types of agents, ranging from animals to robots. The study analyzes data from an experiment where participants watched animations of moving triangles. Although the videos were identical, participants were told the shapes represented either humans, robots, dogs, or inanimate objects. While previous math-based data showed that these labels changed how people felt, those structured scales didn't allow for a natural, unbiased explanation of what people actually …

Social Attributions Of Moving Shapes: Comparing Qualitative Analyses Of Humans Vs. Ai, Angel Hinojosa

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

As technology becomes more intelligent, the relationship between humans and machines is rapidly shifting. Whether a machine is perceived as a capable partner or a source of wariness often depends on the intentions and abilities, we attribute to it. My research in the InTeRACT Lab seeks to empirically assess these perceptions by comparing how we view different nonhuman agents, ranging from animals to robots.   This study analyzes qualitative data from a task where participants viewed animations of moving triangles. While the videos remained the same, participants were told the shapes represented either humans, robots, dogs, or inanimate shapes. Previous quantitative …

Stress-Triggered Automation Reliance, Jazmin Elek

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Automation is widely used in complex systems and includes any process that replaces human motor, sensory, or cognitive functions with machines or computers (Norman, 1996). As automation becomes more common, understanding how humans trust and interact with these systems is critical. Trust can be measured by whether users override automation or blindly follow its prompts (Norman, 1996).   Artificial intelligence (AI) introduces additional complexity by enabling systems to learn patterns from data it generates. AI performs tasks with the ability to learn from experience (NASA, 2024). AI builds internal databases that can mimic human-like responses (Norman, 1996). However, AI systems can …

The Electric Crackdown: Exploring The Human Factors Impacts Of Controls & Displays In Evs Across The Market, Rae Okada, Robin Hanen, Liam Brennan

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Title: The Electric Crackdown: Exploring the Human Factors Impacts of Controls & Displays in Electric Vehicles Across the Market   Despite a global adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) with partial driving automation (i.e., advanced driver assistance systems; ADAS), differences exist at societal (i.e., legislation, regulation), individual (i.e., use of), and system (i.e., vehicle-to-vehicle) levels surrounding these vehicles. While these former societal divergences can be considered based on the: (1) mechanisms promoting or limiting EV adoption, (2) number of EVs on the road, and (3) respective incident reports; system differences require investigation for each vehicle based on its make and model. In …

Improving Urban Search And Rescue Team Coordination Through Adaptive Context Awareness, Daniel Reyes Duran

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Modern multi-agent Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) operations heavily rely on mobile geospatial Common Operating Pictures (COPs) to maintain team coordination and Situational Awareness (SA). However, the proliferation of high-frequency sensor telemetry at the tactical edge has introduced a data saturation paradox challenge: while information theoretically drives informed decision-making, unmanaged data surges induce increased operator cognitive overload and alert fatigue on mobile End-User Devices (EUDs), while downstream data-broadcasting models inherently strain edge processing and viewport environments.

To resolve these constraints, this dissertation presents a context-aware Value of Information (VoI) data-management framework integrated directly with a custom, event-driven Android Team Awareness …

Investigating The Effect Of Gendered Seating Proximity On Classroom Success For Female Engineering Students, Cassandra Savukinas, Kayla D. Taylor

Student Research Symposium (SRS)

This research will examine how aspects of an undergraduate learning environment, specifically seating choices and spatial positioning of female-presenting students, affects classroom success for female-identifying engineering students. Existing literature highlights the underrepresentation of women in engineering and gender disparities in STEM education, which persist from elementary school through higher education. Single-sex K-12 school environments report enhanced academic performance and self-esteem for female students; however, few studies explore gendered seating proximity in coeducational, male-dominated undergraduate STEM courses. Investigating how gendered seating dynamics impact components of classroom success can provide insight into improving retention and engagement for female-identifying students in engineering majors. …

Are Single-Pilot Operations An Advantage Or A Disadvantage?, Ezgi Berte Erme

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

This study aims to investigate the potential benefits and drawbacks of Single-Pilot Operations (SPO) and to provide actionable insights for commercial airlines. A qualitative research design was employed, with data collected via online interviews and analyzed thematically and descriptively using MAXQDA 24. The findings indicate that pilots perceive several advantages of SPO, including the power of automation, learning artificial intelligence, minimizing human error, cockpit systems designed for artificial intelligence, more effective decision-making/speed-up in response time, reduced labor costs, reduced pilot fatigue, and reduced need for human factor/performance. Conversely, the perceived disadvantages include diminished lack of situational awareness, lack of communication …

Enhancing Undergraduate Learning In Physics: The Effects Of Ai-Assisted And Ai-Guided Instruction On Knowledge, Self-Efficacy, And Satisfaction, Stephen Woods

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as large language models are increasingly used for self-directed learning, yet there is limited experimental evidence on whether they improve learning outcomes and whether theory-informed guidance adds value beyond AI use alone. Prior literature suggests that effective learning depends not only on access to information, but also on how instruction supports attention, working memory, long-term memory, and cognitive load, while also fostering motivational processes such as self-efficacy. Individual differences such as Need for Cognition may also shape how learners engage with cognitively demanding instructional tools such as AI.

The present study examined how different …

Crew Resource Management Analyzed In Guyana Military Accident, Kaylee Lall

Student Research Symposium (SRS)

"In December 2023, a Guyana Defence Force Bell 412EP helicopter crashed in mountainous jungle terrain near the Venezuela border, killing five of the seven personnel on board. Preliminary investigation findings indicate the probable cause of the accident was pilot error, rather than mechanical failure. Due to deteriorating weather conditions, the crew deviated from the standard route and elected to fly under visual flight rules (VFR) along the Mazaruni River. The combination of limited visibility, rising mountainous terrain, and potential spatial disorientation likely contributed to this controlled flight into terrain.

This case study applies the SHELL model to analyze the interactions …

Pilots’ Perceived Cognitive Functions: The Effect Of Mental Workload And Mindfulness On Prospective Memory Performance, Zehra Nur Kurtoğlu, Pınar Ünsal Bayrakçı

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

Errors related to human factors remain a leading cause of aviation accidents, with many of these incidents being attributed to pilot performance. A key aspect of pilot performance might be prospective memory (PM), the ability to remember and execute future tasks at the appropriate time. The dynamic and high-demand environment of the cockpit presents significant challenges for pilots' PM, particularly due to high mental workload and the constant need for multitasking. This study investigates the impact of perceived mental workload as consisting of cognitive, emotional, temporal, and performance demands dimensions, and mindfulness on pilots' PM performance. A mindfulness scale specific …

The Impact Of Flight Instructor Feedback On Subsequent Instructor Evaluations Of Student Performance, Ayhan Rozyyev, Jennifer E. Thropp

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

This study examines the impact of feedback tone and feedback order on flight instructors’ evaluations of student performance in an aviation training context. Using a 2×2 mixed factorial design, 40 certified flight instructors reviewed fictitious training records and rated students based on feedback that varied in tone (positive vs. negative) and order (positive-first vs. negative-first). Results showed that positive feedback significantly influenced evaluations across all measured dimensions, while feedback order had no significant effect, challenging assumptions about primacy and recency effects. These findings highlight the role of positive reinforcement in shaping instructor evaluations and suggest that structured training environments can …

Impact Of In-Cabin Human Machine Interface Designs On Passenger Trust In Urban Air Mobility, Ricole A. Johnson, Erika E. Gallegos

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

Urban Air Mobility (UAM) presents a promising solution for alleviating urban traffic congestion and enhancing transportation efficiency. However, the widespread acceptance of UAM, particularly sustained ridership of autonomous passenger air vehicles (PAVs), is contingent upon addressing critical human factors for building passenger trust, especially in the absence of a human pilot. This paper evaluates how different in-cabin human-machine interface (HMI) designs affect passenger trust in the aircraft and in-cabin display, situation awareness, and pilot preferences. Forty participants, equally split between early and late technology adopters, completed two simulated flights: a baseline flight with no HMI and a second flight featuring …

The Role Of User Experience In Virtual Reality Flight Training: A Comparison With Pc-Based Simulation, Tianxin Zhang, Christina M. Frederick, Barbara Chaparro

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

The current project explores how user experience (UX) in virtual reality (VR) flight simulation influences both cognitive learning outcomes and procedural skill acquisition when compared to traditional desktop-based simulation.. Using a quasi-transfer of training design, 48 student pilots were randomly assigned to VR, Desktop, or Control groups and trained on the Chandelle maneuver. UX was measured with the User Experience Questionnaire (UEQ), while training effectiveness was evaluated through a post-training knowledge test and recorded maneuver performance on a high-fidelity flight training device. Results indicated that the VR group reported significantly higher UX scores in Attractiveness, Stimulation, and Novelty, and showed …