Psychological manifestations of the human factor in extreme situations in aviation

Abstract

Abstract This article presents a comprehensive analysis of the psychological manifestations of the human factor during extreme situations in the aviation industry. Despite advancements in modern technology, the human factor remains one of the primary determinants of accidents and hazardous situations. Although the rate of technical failures has declined, statistical data show that the impact of the human factor has not diminished and individuals' emotional and cognitive responses play a critical role in aviation safety during moments of decision-making. In this context, the article scientifically explains how human behavior changes under extreme conditions and how these changes affect safety systems. The purpose of the study is to identify the psychological reactions, decision-making behaviors, group dynamics and the impact of cognitive distortions on system behavior within aviation crews during extreme conditions, as well as to offer practical and theoretical recommendations for managing such scenarios. The study focuses on several key objectives: analyzing the forms of manifestation of the human factor, explaining the stages of psychological adaptation during emergencies, investigating the interaction mechanisms between technical and cognitive skills, evaluating the effectiveness of psychoselection, training and technological monitoring systems, and applying risk assessment models based on real-life cases. The article systematically examines the main factors affecting human behavior, including fatigue, emotional overload, information overload or deficiency, the quality of intra-team communication and individual psychological traits. Particular attention is paid to cognitive distortions that arise in extreme situations such as indecisiveness, panic reactions, narrowed attention ("tunnel vision"), confirmation bias and habituation effects which are explained in detalı. The analyses indicate that these distortions contribute to poor decision-making during sudden events, imprecise information processing and reduced group effectiveness. The article provides concrete examples of both the positive and negative consequences of the human factor, using real aviation incidents such as the Miracle on the Hudson, Avianca Flight 52, Air France Flight 447 and Eastern Air Lines Flight 401. The research highlights three essential factors that enable successful decision-making under extreme conditions: psychological preparedness, professional experience and intra-team coordination. Within psychological preparedness, cognitive resilience, emotional regulation and volitional behavior under uncertainty are emphasized. The relationship between professional experience and automatic responses is explained through the Dreyfus model in a staged manner. Meta-skills such as processing speed, attention distribution and resistance to errors under cognitive load are considered key parameters determining human performance in critical moments.Teamwork is described in terms of active listening, delegation of authority, rotating leadership roles and adherence to ICAO communication protocols. The article also assesses the effectiveness of technological and psychological intervention methods. These include biometric monitoring systems, EEG-based cognitive tests, virtual reality-based simulation training and the CRM methodology. Tables demonstrate that these approaches can reduce psychological strain by 45–80 % and improve decision-making quality and reaction time by 50–70 %. Adapting technical interfaces to human behavior and managing interactions based on the SHELL model play a significant role in reducing risks arising from the human factor. The findings reveal that human behavior in extreme conditions is shaped not only by knowledge and skills, but also by stress resilience, emotional balance and social communication abilities. Alongside individual psychological preparedness, aligning systems with human behavior and implementing adaptive technologies are decisive in minimizing accident risks. The model proposed in the article psychoselection + simulator-based training + real-time monitoring is presented as a comprehensive approach aimed at increasing the efficiency of safety systems. In conclusion, the article stresses the importance of viewing the human factor not only as a weak link, but also as a psychological resource that can be developed and strengthened. Ensuring safety requires a joint application of technical systems and approaches that stimulate individuals’ cognitive, emotional and social skills, offering more stable and sustainable performance outcomes. Thus, the management of the human factor through enhanced psychological preparedness, the integration of adaptive technologies and the improvement of collective effectiveness emerges as one of the key strategic priorities in aviation safety.