ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Understanding the consequences of non-punitive sanctions and feedback for nonintentional deviations (i.e., errors) is important to effective safety policy. This study aims to address a lack of research on the effects of punishment and feedback on correcting erroneous behavior in the context of multitasking. METHOD: A Multi-Attribute Task Battery (MATB-II) was employed to simulate the demands of aviating, an important area of applied safety. Sixty participants were randomly assigned to one of four experimental groups (no intervention, punishment, feedback, punishmentâ¯+â¯feedback) and asked to perform the MATB-II. Punishment, feedback, and punishmentâ¯+â¯feedback decreased error and increased performance, with punishment alone having the greatest effect. RESULTS: The results highlight the need for behavioral consequences or feedback to reduce erroneous behavior. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: From an applied perspective, these results have implications for policy and training.
