Team Perception and Performance Under Threat
Abstract
The face of modern conflict has changed from a military standpoint. One of the most important changes involves the militaryÕs increasing reliance on small special operations teams in the current threat environment. Unfortunately, surprisingly little is known about how threat affects small group task performance, including in combat situations. We seek to fill this gap. The goals of this project are to improve our understanding of the group dynamics behind team functioning under threat and to inform practical recommendations for small-team special operations in the changing global military context. Drawing on expectation states theory from sociology, attentional control theory from psychology, and other relevant programs of research, we develop predictions about the role of threat in the relationship between group structure and team functioning. We propose to conduct a laboratory experiment varying threat level along with the relative competence of participants assigned to subordinate and superordinate roles. We improve upon previous related research by incorporating a psychologically realistic PC-based game environment and using state-of-the-art physiological and electrophysiological techniques to collect measures throughout the task. Among the information to be learned, the experiment will help us understand whether heightened threat mitigates or worsens the infamous Òoffice without knowledgeÓ problem. This problem arises, for example, when experienced, enlisted soldiers must take orders from new officers with little or no field experienceÑa problem often resulting in poor leadership and unit failure (Ricks, 2012). In addition, on the practical side, the proposed research includes a basic and practical ÒinterventionÓ component where we will examine whether our recently patented method and device for enhancing two-way electronically mediated communications can improve team functioning across levels of threat. Thus the proposed research will not only advance the basic understanding of how threat impacts group dynamics, but will also evaluate a relatively simple method that may improve team functioning in challenging environments. Furthermore, the proposed work will enhance the infrastructure for research and education within the Kent Electrophysiological Neuroscience Laboratory (http://kenl.kent.edu) by involving advanced graduate students in all phases of project, including the collection and analysis of behavioral and (electro) physiological data using state-of-the-art equipment, the dissemination of project results via presentations and publications, and potentially the transfer of technology from Kent State to government labs and training grounds. Our ultimate goal is to help reduce danger to our servicemen and women and improve mission success by facilitating team functioning under threat.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- May 07, 2018
- Source ID
- W911NF1710456
Entities
People
- William Kalkhoff
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- Kent State University
- United States Army