Background emotional dynamics of crew resource management: Shame emotions and coping responses

We propose emotional dynamics are involved in crewmembers' occasional failure to communicate relevant information or concerns in the cockpit. Pilots' normal coping responses to 1 of Silvan Tornkins's 9 basic affects, shame, may give rise to apprehensiveness about communicating unverified information, as well as behavioral emphasis on competence and professionalism, and even check-ride anxiety. Our data suggest that pilots are more excitement-hungry than nonpilots, and that this quality is associated with a tendency to avoid self-blame in awkward situations and to focus instead on excitement, enjoyment, or self-confidence. We recommend new training addressing these avoidance responses to awkward situations in the cockpit.