Measurement of Hazardous Attitudes Among Pilots

Abstract

I present data on the psychometric characteristics and construct validity of two Likert-type scales constructed to assess pilots' attitudes. These new scales were developed to assess the factors (Antiauthority, Macho, Invulnerability, Impulsivity, and Resignation) that have been suggested by previous research as being related to pilots' involvement in accidents. I compared results from the new scales with results from an ipsative scale contained in training developed by the Federal Aviation Administration. The results clearly demonstrate the superiority, both in terms of psychometric characteristics and construct validity, of the Likert-type scales. I suggest that the new scales should be used in those instances in which accurate measurement of the attitudes is needed, specifically to assess the contribution of pilots' attitudes to accident involvement and to assess of the impact of training.