How do cognitive biases impact decision-making in the cockpit?

Cognitive biases significantly impact decision-making in the cockpit by leading to distorted perceptions and flawed judgments. These biases are systematic patterns of deviation from norm or rationality in judgment, which can cause pilots to misinterpret information, overlook critical data, or make decisions based on emotions or preconceived notions rather than objective facts. In high-pressure environments such as aviation, cognitive biases can lead to overconfidence, confirmation bias, or misplaced trust in one's own skills or intuition rather than relying on instruments or standard operating procedures.

Understanding that cognitive biases can skew the perception of complex situations is crucial for pilots. By recognizing these tendencies, aviation professionals can implement strategies and training to mitigate their effects, thus making more informed and rational decisions that enhance safety and performance in the cockpit.