The multitasking myth : handling complexity in real-world operations /

Human factors researchers Loukopoulos, Dismukes, and Barshi (all, NASA Ames Research Center) have thoroughly addressed the long-standing belief that humans, especially airline pilots, can perform more than one critical task at a time. Using related literature and observed flight performance, they have been able to show that this belief is not supported and can lead to an accident. The authors clearly identify and describe the related constructs applied to the airline industry, and sensibly and logically explain the actions that airline aircrews are required to make. The Multitasking Myth includes an appropriate mix of ideal and real-world operations that demonstrate how human memory can fail during complex activities. The authors conclude with a description of the success of their recommended changes to an airline operations manual that resulted in decreased incidents. The appendixes provide support for the authors' recommended changes. This work could serve as a useful resource for airline training courses and graduate human factors courses. Summing Up: Recommended. General, professional, and academic readers, upper-division undergraduates and above. E. H. Dammier Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University