Human error in complex problem solving and dynamic decision making: A taxonomy of 24 errors and a theory

The current study extends existing research on human error by investigating human error in complex, dynamic, and uncertain microworlds. The main goal was to develop a taxonomy of errors for such situations. Several tasks with differing characteristics and demands on the problem solver were used: the...

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Main Authors: Dietrich Dörner, C. Dominik Güss
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2022-08-01
Series:Computers in Human Behavior Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2451958822000562
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author Dietrich Dörner
C. Dominik Güss
author_facet Dietrich Dörner
C. Dominik Güss
author_sort Dietrich Dörner
collection DOAJ
description The current study extends existing research on human error by investigating human error in complex, dynamic, and uncertain microworlds. The main goal was to develop a taxonomy of errors for such situations. Several tasks with differing characteristics and demands on the problem solver were used: the simulation of a chocolate producing company (CHOCO FINE), the simulation of a tribe of semi-nomads in the Sahel zone (MORO), and the simulation of wildfires engaging fire-fighting units (WINFIRE). Observing participants and teams working on these simulations, we refer to specific cases and describe 24 errors related to the steps of human problem solving and dynamic decision making. A theory is then presented which attempts to explain the causes of these errors occurring in microworld contexts. Whereas most existing theories focus on cognitive explanations, the theory presented explains human error as a result of the interaction of emotions, motivations, and cognition. The current study not only extends the taxonomy and list of human errors, but especially addresses the lack of theoretical explanations in the literature on human error. The findings provide a starting point for further theory development and empirical testing and could be applied in training programs; hopefully contributing to sensitivity and awareness of the demands of complex, dynamic, and uncertain problems, and ultimately contributing to fewer human errors.
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spelling doaj.art-6f63f841673f4909b1a7a979dd1c68052022-12-22T02:15:34ZengElsevierComputers in Human Behavior Reports2451-95882022-08-017100222Human error in complex problem solving and dynamic decision making: A taxonomy of 24 errors and a theoryDietrich Dörner0C. Dominik Güss1Otto-Friedrich Universität Bamberg, GermanyUniversity of North Florida, United States; Corresponding author.The current study extends existing research on human error by investigating human error in complex, dynamic, and uncertain microworlds. The main goal was to develop a taxonomy of errors for such situations. Several tasks with differing characteristics and demands on the problem solver were used: the simulation of a chocolate producing company (CHOCO FINE), the simulation of a tribe of semi-nomads in the Sahel zone (MORO), and the simulation of wildfires engaging fire-fighting units (WINFIRE). Observing participants and teams working on these simulations, we refer to specific cases and describe 24 errors related to the steps of human problem solving and dynamic decision making. A theory is then presented which attempts to explain the causes of these errors occurring in microworld contexts. Whereas most existing theories focus on cognitive explanations, the theory presented explains human error as a result of the interaction of emotions, motivations, and cognition. The current study not only extends the taxonomy and list of human errors, but especially addresses the lack of theoretical explanations in the literature on human error. The findings provide a starting point for further theory development and empirical testing and could be applied in training programs; hopefully contributing to sensitivity and awareness of the demands of complex, dynamic, and uncertain problems, and ultimately contributing to fewer human errors.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2451958822000562Human errorComplex problem solvingDynamic decision makingCognitive biasMicroworldVirtual environment
spellingShingle Dietrich Dörner
C. Dominik Güss
Human error in complex problem solving and dynamic decision making: A taxonomy of 24 errors and a theory
Computers in Human Behavior Reports
Human error
Complex problem solving
Dynamic decision making
Cognitive bias
Microworld
Virtual environment
title Human error in complex problem solving and dynamic decision making: A taxonomy of 24 errors and a theory
title_full Human error in complex problem solving and dynamic decision making: A taxonomy of 24 errors and a theory
title_fullStr Human error in complex problem solving and dynamic decision making: A taxonomy of 24 errors and a theory
title_full_unstemmed Human error in complex problem solving and dynamic decision making: A taxonomy of 24 errors and a theory
title_short Human error in complex problem solving and dynamic decision making: A taxonomy of 24 errors and a theory
title_sort human error in complex problem solving and dynamic decision making a taxonomy of 24 errors and a theory
topic Human error
Complex problem solving
Dynamic decision making
Cognitive bias
Microworld
Virtual environment
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2451958822000562
work_keys_str_mv AT dietrichdorner humanerrorincomplexproblemsolvinganddynamicdecisionmakingataxonomyof24errorsandatheory
AT cdominikguss humanerrorincomplexproblemsolvinganddynamicdecisionmakingataxonomyof24errorsandatheory