Shared Mindfulness in Cockpit Crisis Situations: An Exploratory Analysis

Abstract

Despite the high reliability of current aeronautical technology and safety improvements, human error continues to be a factor in 60% to 80% of all aviation mishaps. Training is often focused on analysis of faulty procedures or lack of procedures over a more systemic approach. This research explores the existence of the psychological construct of shared mindfulness and examines how it is communicatively constructed and enacted in a high-reliability environment. The qualitative study examines shared mindfulness in 10 aviation student dyads in a decision-making crisis situation to identify the communication behaviors of the construct and to determine whether shared mindfulness may lead to more effective pilot decisions. Findings reveal both the existence of shared mindfulness as a communicative construct and seven inductively derived communication process categories that create shared mindfulness in a dyadic situation. Those dyads demonstrating more communication behaviors of shared mindfulness also made the most effective decisions.