3. Operators' automation usage decisions and the sources of misuse and disuse

Abstract

This chapter focuses upon operators' automation usage decisions (AUDs), choices in which people have the option of relying on automation or employing a manual or less technologically advanced means of control. Misuse, the over-utilization of automation, and disuse, the under-utilization of automation, result from inappropriate AUDs. Three causes of misuse and disuse were identified. Operators may: (1) not recognize that both automated and manual alternatives are available (recognition errors), (2) inaccurately estimate the utilities of the automated and/or manual options (appraisal errors), or (3) knowingly select the alternative with the lowest expected outcome (action errors). A decision-making model was used to organize the literature, identify new areas of inquiry, and examine the effects of a number of variables known to affect AUDs. These included machine reliability and consistency, performance feedback, trust in automation, self-confidence in manual control, perceived utility, and the automation bias.

Citation

Beck, H.P., Dzindolet, M.T. and Pierce, L.G. (2002), "3. Operators' automation usage decisions and the sources of misuse and disuse", Advances in Human Performance and Cognitive Engineering Research (Advances in Human Performance and Cognitive Engineering Research, Vol. 2), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 37-78. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1479-3601(02)02005-2