The Human Brain Forgotten in Aviation Human Error
The Human Brain Forgotten in Aviation
Human Error “all occasions in which a planned sequence of mental or physical activity fails to achieve its intended outcome”. Reason, 1990
Scope • Executive Brain • Social Brain • Science of Insight
3 Brains • Reptilian - basic functions • Mammalian - emotions • Neocortex - higher functions, language etc
Prefrontal Cortex • Newest part of our brain • Executive Function • Contains our conscious thoughts at any one time • Two basic modes • Serial processor • Mental braking system
Prefrontal Cortex • Newest part of our brain • Executive Function • Contains our conscious thoughts at any one time • Two basic modes • Serial processor • Mental braking system
Mental Braking System Activated when we inhibit natural responses BLACK
The brain’s limited mental resource “We have a limited bucket of mental resources for mental activity like decision making and impulse control, when we use these up we don’t have as much for the next activity. ” DR Roy Beaumeister
Intelligence If yuo can raed tihs, you hvae a sgtrane mnid
3 Levels of Thinking 1. Deleting emails 2. Scheduling a meeting 3. Planning or problem solving
Our PFC is an Experience Simulator ‘With mental rehearsal, minds and bodies become trained to actually perform the skill imagined’
Social Brain
Human Social Behavior Threat Status Certainty Autonomy Relatedness Fairness Reward
Limbic Response Reward Threat Feel Good Get ready to run
The Moment of Insight • Requires a ‘quiet’ brain • 60% of complex problems are solved in this manner • Brain storming can inhibit insight
Moment of Insight
Conclusion • Our PFC is the seat of human error • It is very fragile an inefficient • We need to be aware of internal states • Social needs are most important • We can change our brain so why don't we?
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