Personality, Attitudes, and Pilot Training Performance: Final Analysis
Abstract
Developments in research concerning personality characteristics have led to a renewed interest in applications of individual differences measures for selection of pilot candidates. Recent research efforts have focused on selecting for positive characteristics, rather than screening out pathological traits. Another development is the use of tests in which the dimension of interest is not readily apparent to the test taker. In the present investigation, five personality and attitudinal tests were administered to United States Air Force (USAF) pilot candidates as part of an experimental test battery under consideration for operational use in pilot selection and classification, the Basic Attributes Tests (BAT) System. These tests were designed to assess decisiveness, risk-taking, self-confidence, survival attitudes, and field dependence-independence. Scores from these tests were examined for their utility in predicting final training outcome (graduation or elimination) and a follow-on training assignment (fighter or non-fighter aircraft). Results indicated that as a group the tests demonstrated weak relationships with the performance criteria. No test was valid against both performance outcomes. Measures from all five tests were combined into a model that also included scores from the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test (AFOQT), the paper-and-pencil examination currently used for USAF pilot selection. Only the test of self-confidence appeared to contribute unique variance in predicting successful completion of pilot training, over and above that explained by the AFOQT.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA199983
Entities
People
- Frederick M. Siem
- Thomas R. Carretta
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory