TY - JOUR
T1 - Finding the right case
T2 - The role of predictive features in memory for aviation accidents
AU - O'Hare, David
AU - Mullen, Nadia
AU - Wiggins, Mark
AU - Molesworth, Brett
PY - 2008
Y1 - 2008
N2 - Three experiments examined the role of story structure in memory for written aviation accident reports by both pilots and nonpilots. Accident reports follow a standard format providing setting, complication, decision and outcome information. Following the 'predictive features' model, it was hypothesized that expertise would facilitate recall, and that pilots would recall most effectively with the complication feature. Pilot and nonpilot participants read and recalled 4 (Experiment 1) or 8 (Experiment 2) accident reports. With four cases, pilots recalled more than nonpilots, but no difference was found with eight cases. A primacy effect for pattern of recall was found in Experiment 1 with the setting and complication features most effective in triggering case recall. When task difficulty was increased (Experiment 2), the complication feature alone was the most effective. In Experiment 3, we manipulated text structure and found that complication and decision features were better recognized than setting or outcome features by nonpilots. The finding across three studies that the complication feature was consistently the most effective for retrieving aviation accident reports supports the 'predictive features' model.
AB - Three experiments examined the role of story structure in memory for written aviation accident reports by both pilots and nonpilots. Accident reports follow a standard format providing setting, complication, decision and outcome information. Following the 'predictive features' model, it was hypothesized that expertise would facilitate recall, and that pilots would recall most effectively with the complication feature. Pilot and nonpilot participants read and recalled 4 (Experiment 1) or 8 (Experiment 2) accident reports. With four cases, pilots recalled more than nonpilots, but no difference was found with eight cases. A primacy effect for pattern of recall was found in Experiment 1 with the setting and complication features most effective in triggering case recall. When task difficulty was increased (Experiment 2), the complication feature alone was the most effective. In Experiment 3, we manipulated text structure and found that complication and decision features were better recognized than setting or outcome features by nonpilots. The finding across three studies that the complication feature was consistently the most effective for retrieving aviation accident reports supports the 'predictive features' model.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=60849096676&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1002/acp.1428
DO - 10.1002/acp.1428
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:60849096676
SN - 0888-4080
VL - 22
SP - 1163
EP - 1180
JO - Applied Cognitive Psychology
JF - Applied Cognitive Psychology
IS - 8
ER -