Individual Differences in Complacency and Monitoring for Automation Failures
Author(s): Lawrence J. Prinzel III, Frederick G. Freeman, Holly D. Prinzel
Abstract: Automation-induced complacency has been documented as a cause or contributing factor in many airplane accidents throughout the last two decades. The present study examined the relationship between the individual differences of complacency potential and automation-induced complacency among 40 undergraduate students. Workload and boredom scores were also collected and analyzed in relation to the individual differences in complacency. The results of the study demonstrated that there are personality predispositions that influence whether an individual will succumb to automation-induced complacency. High complacency potential individuals were less likely to detect automation failures, but only under high complacency conditions. They also experienced more task-related boredom and mental workload, but only under certain conditions. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Pages: 27-49
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