The Additive Effects of Values Clarification and Perspective Taking on Team Adaptation in a Computerized Combat Simulation

Abstract

Team processes have been an area of study in social and organizational psychology for the past 50 years. Research on team adaptation, however, has come about only recently. However, most existing research on team adaptation focus on underlying mental processes involved in team adaptation rather than on performance improvement. The current study incorporated principles from Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Organizational Behavior Management (OBM) into online training modules designed to improve the performance of leader-subordinate dyads in a dynamic combat simulation. Results suggest that exposure to online values-clarification and perspective-taking modules allow teams to progress farther in the mission at a faster and more consistent rate compared to control teams. These results, along with others, are discussed within the context of situational awareness. Implications for the design and refinement on online ACT-based trining modules are discussed.