Studies in Aviation Psychology Open Doors to a Diverse Range of Careers

Rob Finfrock

Wednesday, February 04, 2015 at 11:59 PM ET

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Key Takeaways:

Aviation psychology and human factors research is a vital, high-demand field where aviation has pioneered safety principles (like Crew Resource Management) applicable to other high-consequence industries.
The discipline investigates human behavior, cognitive biases (e.g., sticking with poor decisions), and human-environment interactions to optimize efficiency and reduce errors, particularly with new technologies like glass cockpits.
The goal is to foster a comprehensive culture of safety across all aviation sectors, leading to diverse career opportunities in areas such as ergonomic design, accident investigation, and broader safety improvements.

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One of the most challenging and rewarding educational fields available within the aviation industry concerns the study of aviation psychology and human factors research, with significant demand throughout a diverse range of careers for personnel in these fields.

“Aviation has really led the way in human factors research, but this work really applies to any high-consequence industry,” said Dr. Erin Bowen with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. “For example, there are many lessons developed throughout the adoption of CRM [crew resource management] in aviation that may be applied to nursing teams within a medical environment.”