Analysis of influencing factors in the model of erroneous action: Computer-based method and algorithms

Methods that use the underlying (influencing, contributing, performance-shaping, etc.) factors in human operator error analysis, in general, inadequately incorporate them into the operator´s model of erroneous action. This paper describes the method of error analysis in which the factors of the operator´s performance and the underlying factors are considered to be coherent on all stages of the erroneous action: from the perception of a problem to the motivation for solving it, to the implementation of the decision. The method provides a deeper analysis of underlying factors using the proposed frame descriptions for errors with logical, decision-making, and classification algorithms, as well as the results of psychological experiments. In the paper, the special types of classification algorithms that analyze the different stages of the erroneous action with the use of the corresponding influencing factors are demonstrated. These algorithms were applied in aviation for the investigation of pilot and air-traffic controller errors.