Implications of The Invisible Gorilla

Implications of the Invisible Gorilla
John Fetterman and L. Daniel Maxim

Outline of presentation
Implications of the Invisible Gorilla and related research
Importance in LE and investigation context
Literature samples and teasers
The way forward
2

The Invisible Gorilla
Contents of the book (and the seminal experiments conducted by the authors) interesting and revealing in terms of knowledge of the fallibility of our perceptions
Experiments humorous and (to many) the results unexpected
But the lecture was far more than entertaining—some implications are covered here
3

The Gorilla and related experiments
Help us understand “inattentional blindness” and “change blindness”
Results have important implications for need for situational awareness (SA) in several fields including
Accident causation and role of human factors
Need for high levels of SA for safety of law enforcement officers
Let’s capitalize on this knowledge!
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One example: two pilot cockpits
NASA studies of “heads up” displays in cockpits indicated that pilots could fail to spot aircraft on active runway—not because of display (designed to be an improvement) but because of pilot’s inattentional blindness and focus on flying the aircraft
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Two pilot cockpits
Scheduled airliners typically use two pilots:
The flying pilot (FP) who focuses on reading the gauges and manipulating the controls
The non-flying pilot (NFP) who handles communications, reads checklists, programs the flight computer, and monitors the “big picture”
The NFP maintains a lookout for invisible Gorillas
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But what about single pilot operations?
The invisible Gorilla offers lessons here as well
Don’t let task load increase the likelihood of inattentional blindness—manage workload
Identify the key Gorillas (e.g., runway incursions, distractions) as key things that “need to be seen:” include in training
Use multiple inputs (e.g., communications) to develop accurate situational awareness
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The invisible Gorilla
Vividly highlights the importance of maintaining SA
SA can be learned!
Identifying key elements of information necessary to maintain the big picture
Identifying barriers to good SA
Tips to identify when SA has been lost and ways to regain SA
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Uses of this research for NASBLA
Helping to develop an improved understanding of recreational boating accidents (why, not what or how explanations): findings also have implications for
Accident investigation,
LE training, and
Design of improved training content for recreational boaters
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This breakout session addresses
Importance of this topic for training of LE personnel
Opportunities for NASBLA to develop improved training for LE personnel
Better SA
Limitations of eyewitness testimony
Investigation biases
Concepts explored in following slides
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Importance in le context
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Perception literature implications
Need to improve SA of LE personnel for increased safety and efficiency
Need to understand limitations of self awareness
Need to understand limitations of memory and eyewitness testimony and ways to correct for these
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Relevant factoids
Each year approximately 50 LE officers murdered and another 50 killed in line of duty
Each year approximately 60,000 assaulted in line of duty
Surprising facts about victims
Not rookies
Often killed because of lack of SA
Victims often overestimate ability to read cues
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It’s not just rookies (FBI data)
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Average age of victims 38 years

In nearly half of the deaths the officer did not attempt to use own weapon
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Violent Encounters
Study (2006) by Pinizzotto, Davis, and Miller (USDOJ, FBI, National Institute of Justice), hereinafter “PDM”
Designed to identify ways to improve safety-training techniques
Identified perceptual distortions associated with violent encounters and implications for safety training
16

Officer characteristics (PDM)
Hard working,
Friendly and well liked,
Failed to follow all the rules, especially in regard to arrests, confrontations with prisoners, traffic stops, and waiting for backup, and
Felt that they could “read” others/situations and dropped their guard as a result
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Literature samples
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The psychology/human factors literature is worth studying
The literature offers important insights into human behavior/perceptions and options for improvement
Iceberg models
SA developments
Modern research into memory limitations
Biases in investigation
Some examples shown following
19

20
Heinrich ratio: Iceberg model
Fatal Accident 1
Non-fatal accidents 10
Reportable incidents 30
Unsafe acts 600
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Dunning-Kruger effect
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Situational awareness
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SA literature
Extensive literature on SA, determinants of SA, and ways to increase SA
Applications in aviation, marine, medicine, LE, and various industries (e.g., nuclear power plants)
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SA literature
Extremely varied literature
Barriers to SA now understood (e.g., workload, time pressures, communications, distractions, fatigue)
Training techniques developed for improved SA
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We know more about memory
We know much more about memory and limitations (errors of commission and omission)
Are vivid “flashbulb” memories reliable?
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We know more about memory
We know much more about the accuracy of eyewitness testimony, biases, and ways to compensate
Are confident witnesses more reliable?
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We know much more about biases
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Confirmation bias
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The way forward
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Opportunity
Now is an opportune time to put together a course for investigators and LE personnel
Course would distill the relevant literature and show how this has practical applications for NASBLA (and other LE) personnel
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Pilot 8-hour course
Well grounded in literature
Excellent videos and handout materials
Taught by professionals in various fields
Lead instructors, John Fetterman and Dr. L. Daniel Maxim (in view of DK effect they don’t claim to be competent!)
Pilot version (beta test) could be put together in four-six months
31

Next steps
Form working group (NASBLA, USCG) to be used as “sounding board” or oversight panel
Write grant application to cover course development and initial presentation
Consult with others (e.g., DOJ) who might participate as guest lecturers
Develop and present course
Write “after action” report
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Questions, comments, time for a
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BREAK!
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Implications of The Invisible Gorilla

by NASBLA

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Implications of The Invisible Gorilla Presentation Transcript