Military Psychology:Teams and Teamwork

Dr. Steven J. Kass

Military Psychology Importance of Teamwork

Importance of Teamwork

1. Readiness – coordination/communication in stressful war environment

2. Adaptation – ability to adapt to changing demands of a wider range of missions

3. Task Complexity – teams are called upon to perform tasks that:– Require quick decision making in complex environs– Have severe consequences of error– Are performed under ambiguous situations

Team – “…a distinguishable set of two or more people who interact dynamically, interdependently, and adaptively toward a common goal/objective/mission, who have each been assigned specific roles or functions to perform, and who have a limited life-span of membership” (Salas et al., 1992)

Military Psychology Team Defined

2 or more members Members possess multiple sources of info Tasks are interdependent (sequential, pooled, or

reciprocal) Members must coordinate efforts Members share compatible values/goals/objectives Members have specialized roles Team is hierarchically structured (team leader) Communication crucial Team develops strategies to adapt to change

Military Psychology Team Characteristics

Teams must complete:1. Taskwork – individual competencies (KSAs)

necessary to do the job2. Teamwork – competencies associated with being

an effective team member Motivating teammates Providing backup/support Monitoring one another Self-correcting Shifting strategy on demand

Military Psychology Teamwork

Identify team competencies through Team Task Analysis Knowledge:

– Task specific teammate characteristics– Shared task models– Teamwork skills

Skills:– Adaptability– Shared situation awareness– Mutual performance monitoring– Motivating team members/leadership– Communication– Assertiveness

Attitudes:– Collective efficacy (Potency)– Shared vision– Team cohesion

Military Psychology Team Competencies

Cannon-Bowers et al., 1995)

Focus on outcome may be rewarding flawed processes.– Assess both:

Taskwork and Teamwork Outcomes (winning, accuracy, efficiency, etc.) and

Process (communication, coordination, support, etc.)

Military Psychology Measuring Team Performance

Measurement process1. Describe individual and team behavior

2. Evaluate behavior

3. Diagnose causes of behavior

Military Psychology Measuring Team Performance

Assessment Tools

1. Observational Checklists/Rating Scales

2. Content Analysis

3. Critical Incidents

4. Automated Performance Recording

5. After Action Reviews

Military Psychology Team Performance

Effective Team Performance Measurement, should:

1. Identify processes linked to key outcomes

2. Distinguish between individual and team level contributions and deficiencies

3. Produce assessment to be used for providing feedback to team

4. Produce accurate and reliable evaluations

5. Be easy to implement

Military Psychology Team Performance Measurement

Cross-Training – learn KSAs of other team tasks by rotating positions– Learn contribution of each task to “big picture”– Allows teammates to anticipate others’ actions– Helps provide backup and flexibility

Military Psychology Team Training Techniques

Aircrew Coordination Training – increase crew’s awareness of need for coordination– Provide crews with info about teamwork skills– Demonstrate behaviors via video recording– Provide opportunities to practice– Receive feedback on performance

Military Psychology Team Training Techniques

Guided Team Self-Correction – feedback to teammates by leader to allow team to identify its own problems– Feedback should:

Enable each member to perform his/her task Demonstrate how individual’s performance contributes

to that of other Demonstrate how individual’s performance contributes

to that of team

Military Psychology Team Training Techniques

Military Psychology Team Training Techniques

Team Adaptation & Coordination Training – training method to help teams deal with stressful environment/task– Provide team member with info on how to best

optimize: Preplanning sessions Idle periods Info dissemination Info anticipation Redistribution of workload

Military Psychology Team Training Techniques

Assertiveness Training – training to improve team members’ willingness to state concerns assertively– Important for:

Providing feedback Stating opinions Offering solutions Initiating action Offering/Requesting help or backup

Military Psychology Team Training Techniques

Team Leader Training – training to help leaders in their position to monitor, control, and decisions on behalf of team– Involves managing team climate – norms &

expectations of team members and their interactions