Citation

Lintern G. Int. J. Aviat. Psychol. 2011; 21(1): 3-15.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/10508414.2011.537556

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The theme for this special issue, the airspace as a cognitive system, stimulates these questions: What is a cognitive system and in what sense can we characterize the airspace as a cognitive system? I discuss these questions by reviewing ideas promoted in discussions of distributed cognition. I conclude that this notion of the airspace as a cognitive system offers considerable leverage for addressing the anticipated design challenges in airspace systems but that we need to avoid the distortions engendered by the pervasive techno-centric emphasis in systems design in favor of a human-focused emphasis that will aid development of robust and effective systems.