A Review of Literature Relevant to Unaided Tactical Decision Making
Abstract
A limited search was conducted for literature relevant to unaided tactical decision making. The specific purpose was to acquire information that could be used to develop a methodology for training military leaders to make tactical decisions. Particular emphasis was placed upon the training of U.S. Army Armor tank platoon leaders as tactical decision makers. Two approaches to the study of decision making were discussed: (1) the prescriptive (economic or rational) model which holds that opinions should be expressed in terms of subjective probabilities and revised by application of Bayes' Theorem as new information is received; and (2) the descriptive approach which attempts to delineate the decision maker's behavior as accurately as possible. Two problems encountered by developers of decision making training programs were discussed: (1) providing for consequences of decisions and (2) evaluating decision making performance. It was concluded that training a decision maker to apply the prescriptive model without the assistance of aids (such as a computer) is not likely to prove effective. Three approaches to training in decision making were recommended.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1983
- Accession Number
- ADA136549
Entities
People
- Elaine N. Taylor
Organizations
- Human Resources Research Organization