Citation

Landman A, Nieuwenhuys A, Oudejans RR. Ergonomics 2015; 59(7): 950-961.

Affiliation

a Department of Human Movement Sciences , MOVE Research Institute Amsterdam, VU University , Van der Boechorststraat 9, 1081 BT , Amsterdam , The Netherlands.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/00140139.2015.1107625

PMID

26467525

Abstract

We explored the impact of professional experience and personality on police officers' shooting performance under pressure. We recruited: 1) regular officers, 2) officers wanting to join a specialized arrest unit (expected to possess more stress-resistant traits; pre-AU), and 3) officers from this unit (expected to also possess more professional experience; AU) (all male). In Phase 1 we determined personality traits and experience. In Phase 2 state anxiety, shot accuracy, decision-making (shoot/don't shoot), movement speed and gaze behaviour were measured while officers performed a shooting test under low and high pressure.

RESULTS indicate minimal differences in personality among groups and superior performance of AU officers. Regression analyses showed that state anxiety and shooting performance under high pressure were first predicted by AU experience and second by certain personality traits.

RESULTS suggest that although personality traits attenuate the impact of high pressure, it is relevant experience that secures effective performance under pressure.

Language: en