Cognition and Decision Making in Complex Adaptive Systems: The Human Factor in Organizational Performance

This book explains the role of human behavior research, from both a historical and modern perspective, in improving objective, measurable performance outcomes to include safety, strategic decision making, and organizational performance. The book builds upon empirically supported foundations of human cognition, but with a focus on applying this knowledge in a manner that can improve human decision-making to enhance safety and performance. It includes explanations of how the human mind processes information, including differences in novice versus expert information processing, and tools to combat various cognitive biases. Explained within the framework of complex adaptive systems, this book builds upon resources developed through the author’s years of combined applied research and graduate teaching and includes chapters on the roles of uncertainty and complexity within scientific research. Finally, the book offers tools that are rooted in empirical research and demonstrated within thecontext of contemporary, real-world scenarios, with a focus on improving organizational effectiveness through improved strategic decision making and the development of learning cultures within organizations.

About the Author

Meghan Carmody-Bubb graduated from Texas A&M University with a B.S. in Psychology in 1986 and received her Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology from Texas Tech University in 1993. Upon completing coursework, she was commissioned in the U.S.  Navy, where she graduated from the training program in Aerospace Experimental Psychology at the Naval Aerospace Medical Institute. Her tenure as an active duty Aerospace Experimental Psychologist included assignments at the Naval Air Warfare Center in Warminster, Pennsylvania and the Force Aircraft Test Squadron at the Naval Air Warfare Center in Patuxent River, Maryland, where she conducted research in adaptive automation, situational awareness, aircrew training and simulation, advanced technology displays for tactical aircraft, and eye movement behavior analysis. Dr. Carmody-Bubb left active service in 1999, remaining in the Reserves. Her experience in the active reserves included a 2-year tour with the 4th Marine Air Wing Medical Group at Marine Air Group (MAG) 41, where she served as Aeromedical Safety Officer. She retired at the rank of Commander. She has authored and co-authored over 30 published journal articles and conference proceedings, in addition to several paper presentations and technical reports. Dr. Carmody-Bubb is currently a Professor in the Department of Leadership Studies, School of Business and Leadership at Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, Texas. She is married to Michael E. Bubb, with whom she shares four children.