Associate Professor David O'Hare, Our People, Department of Psychology, University of Otago, New Zealand

David O'Hare

Email david.ohare@otago.ac.nz
Tel 64 3 479 7643

Professor David O’Hare has been awarded grants by a number of agencies including the Health Research Council, SPARC, the Australian Research Council, the United States Federal Aviation Administration and NASA. He has worked with numerous organisations including the Transport Accident Investigation Commission, Civil Aviation Authority, Airways Corporation and the New Zealand Police.

David joined the Psychology Department in 1982 after studying at Exeter University and lecturing at Lancaster University in the United Kingdom. He has over 33 years experience as a University lecturer and researcher and over 20 years experience as a human factors consultant. He has published 3 books and over 100 refereed articles and conference proceedings and book chapters as well as numerous reports and articles for aviation safety publications.

He is the holder of both New Zealand and United Kingdom flight crew licences for both powered aircraft and gliders as well as being a qualified football referee and New Zealand Football certified referee assessor.

Research Interests

Cognitive engineering and human decision making including in-flight decision making by general aviation pilots
Dynamic decision making
Risk perception
Display design
Case-based learning
The development of expertise

Find out more about Professor O'Hare's research interests

^ Top of page

Publications

White, A., & O'Hare, D. (2022). In plane sight: Inattentional blindness affects visual detection of external targets in simulated flight. Applied Ergonomics, 98, 103578. doi: 10.1016/j.apergo.2021.103578

Alshaer, A., O'Hare, D., Archambault, P., Shirley, M., & Regenbrecht, H. (2020). How to observe users’ movements in virtual environments: Viewpoint control in a power wheelchair simulator. Human Factors, 62(4), 656-670. doi: 10.1177/0018720819853682

Kinney, L., & O'Hare, D. (2020). Responding to an unexpected in-flight event: Physiological arousal, information processing, and performance. Human Factors, 62(5), 737-750. doi: 10.1177/0018720819854830

Tumataroa, S., & O'Hare, D. (2019). Improving self-control through financial counseling: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Financial Counseling & Planning, 30(2), 304-312. doi: 10.1891/1052-3073.30.2.304

Alshaer, A., O'Hare, D., Hoermann, S., & Regenbrecht, H. (2017). The impact of the visual representation of the input device on driving performance in a power wheelchair simulator. In W. Powell, A. Skip Rezzo, P. M. Sharkey & J. Merrick (Eds.), Virtual reality: Recent advances in virtual rehabilitation system design. (pp. 45-61). Nova Science.

O'Hare, D. P. (Ed.). (1999). Human Performance in General Aviation. Aldershot, UK: Ashgate Publishing Ltd, 326p.

Edited Book - Research

Chapter in Book - Research

O'Hare, D. (2015). Situational awareness and diagnosis. In M. W. Wiggins & T. Loveday (Eds.), Diagnostic expertise in organizational environments. (pp. 13-26). Farnham, UK: Ashgate.

Chapter in Book - Research

O'Hare, D. (2011). Cognitive ability determinants of elite pilot performance. In E. Salas & A. S. Dietz (Eds.), Situational awareness. Surrey, UK: Ashgate.

Chapter in Book - Research

Wiegmann, D. A., Goh, J., & O'Hare, D. (2009). The role of situation assessment and flight experience in pilots' decisions to continue visual flight rules flight into adverse weather. In K. Dismukes (Ed.), Human error in aviation. Surrey, UK: Ashgate Publishing.

Chapter in Book - Research

Wiggins, M. W., & O'Hare, D. (2006). Applications of microsimulation in cognitive skills development. In W. Karwowski (Ed.), International encyclopedia of ergonomics and human factors: Volume 3. (2nd ed.) (pp. 3262-3267). Boca Raton, Fl: Taylor & Francis Group.

Chapter in Book - Research

O'Hare, D. (2003). Aeronautical decision making: Metaphors, models, and methods. In P. S. Tsang & M. A. Vidulich (Eds.), Principles and Practice of Aviation Psychology. (pp. 201-237). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc.

Chapter in Book - Research

O'Hare, D. P., & Batt, R. (2000). Learning by example: Results from a global Internet study. In A. R. Lowe & B. J. Hayward (Eds.), Aviation Resource Management Volume 2. (pp. 105-111). Aldershot, UK: Ashgate.

Chapter in Book - Research

O'Hare, D. P., & O'Brien, K. S. (2000). Individual differences in situational awareness and training for complex tasks. In A. R. Lowe & B. J. Hayward (Eds.), Aviation Resource Management Volume 2. (pp. 369-377). Aldershot, UK: Ashgate.

Chapter in Book - Research

O'Hare, D. P., Wiggins, M. W., Williams, A., & Wong, B. L. W. (2000). Cognitive task analyses for decision centred design and training. In J. Annett & N. Stanton (Eds.), Task Analysis. (pp. 170-190). London, UK: Taylor & Francis.

Chapter in Book - Research

O'Hare, D. P. (1999). Introduction to human performance in general aviation. In D. O'Hare (Ed.), Human Performance in General Aviation. (pp. 3-10). Aldershot, UK: Ashgate Publishing Ltd.

Chapter in Book - Research

O'Hare, D. P. (1999). Safety is more than accident prevention: Risk factors for crashes and injuries in general aviation. In D. O'Hare (Ed.), Human Performance in General Aviation. (pp. 265-289). Aldershot, UK: Ashgate Publishing Ltd.

Chapter in Book - Research

O'Hare, D. P., & Batt, R. (1999). A pilot for all seasons: Beyond simulation. In D. O'Hare (Ed.), Human Performance in General Aviation. (pp. 173-190). Aldershot, UK: Ashgate Publishing Ltd.

Chapter in Book - Research

Wong, B. W. L., Sallis, P., & O'Hare, D. P. (1995). Information Portrayal for Intentional Processes: A Framework for Analysis. In (Information Science Discussion Paper Series 95/3). (pp. 15). Dunedin: Department of Information Science, University of O.

Chapter in Book - Research

Journal - Research Article

Alshaer, A., Regenbrecht, H., & O'Hare, D. (2017). Immersion factors affecting perception and behaviour in a virtual reality power wheelchair simulator. Applied Ergonomics, 58, 1-12. doi: 10.1016/j.apergo.2016.05.003

Journal - Research Article

Brouwers, S., Wiggins, M. W., Griffin, B., Helton, W. S., & O'Hare, D. (2017). The role of cue utilisation in reducing the workload in a train control task. Ergonomics, 60(11), 1500-1515. doi: 10.1080/00140139.2017.1330494

Journal - Research Article

Rees, A., Wiggins, M. W., Helton, W. S., Loveday, T., & O'Hare, D. (2017). The impact of breaks on sustained attention in a simulated, semi-automated train control task. Applied Cognitive Psychology, 31(3), 351-359. doi: 10.1002/acp.3334

Journal - Research Article

Brouwers, S., Wiggins, M. W., Helton, W., O'Hare, D., & Griffin, B. (2016). Cue utilization and cognitive load in novel task performance. Frontiers in Psychology, 7, 435. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00435

Journal - Research Article

Wright, S., & O'Hare, D. (2015). Can a glass cockpit display help (or hinder) performance of novices in simulated flight training? Applied Ergonomics, 47, 292-299. doi: 10.1016/j.apergo.2014.10.017

Journal - Research Article

Ford, J., Henderson, R., & O'Hare, D. (2014). The effects of Crew Resource Management (CRM) training on flight attendants' safety attitudes. Journal of Safety Research, 48, 49-56. doi: 10.1016/j.jsr.2013.11.003

Journal - Research Article

Nicholson, B., & O'Hare, D. (2014). The effects of individual differences, prior experience and cognitive load on the transfer of dynamic decision-making performance. Ergonomics, 57(9), 1353-1365. doi: 10.1080/00140139.2014.933884

Journal - Research Article

Ford, J., Henderson, R., & O'Hare, D. (2013). Barriers to intra-aircraft communication and safety: The perspective of the flight attendants. International Journal of Aviation Psychology, 23(4), 368-387. doi: 10.1080/10508414.2013.834167

Journal - Research Article

Ford, J., O'Hare, D., & Henderson, R. (2013). Putting the "we" into teamwork: Effects of priming personal or social identity on flight attendants' perceptions of teamwork and communication. Human Factors, 55(3), 499-508. doi: 10.1177/0018720812465311

Journal - Research Article

Hooper, B. J., & O'Hare, D. P. A. (2013). Exploring human error in military aviation flight safety events using post-incident classification systems. Aviation, Space, & Environmental Medicine, 84(8), 803-813. doi: 10.3357/ASEM.3176.2013

Journal - Research Article

Loveday, T., Wiggins, M. W., Harris, J. M., O'Hare, D., & Smith, N. (2013). An objective approach to identifying diagnostic expertise among power system controllers. Human Factors, 55(1), 90-107. doi: 10.1177/0018720812450911

Journal - Research Article

O'Hare, D., & Waite, A. (2012). Effects of pilot experience on recall of information from graphical weather displays. International Journal of Aviation Psychology, 22(1), 1-17. doi: 10.1080/10508414.2012.635122

Journal - Research Article

Wiggins, M. W., Hunter, D. R., O'Hare, D., & Martinussen, M. (2012). Characteristics of pilots who report deliberate versus inadvertent visual flight into Instrument Meteorological Conditions. Safety Science, 50(3), 472-477. doi: 10.1016/j.ssci.2011.10.010

Journal - Research Article

Boyes, M. A., & O'Hare, D. (2011). Examining naturalistic decision making in outdoor adventure contexts by computer simulation. Australian Journal of Outdoor Education, 15(1), 22-34.

Journal - Research Article

Hunter, D. R., Martinussen, M., Wiggins, M., & O'Hare, D. (2011). Situational and personal characteristics associated with adverse weather encounters by pilots. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 43(1), 176-186. doi: 10.1016/j.aap.2010.08.007

Journal - Research Article

O'Hare, D., Hunter, D. R., Martinussen, M., & Wiggins, M. (2011). Classification and prediction of pilot weather encounters: A discriminant function analysis. Aviation, Space, & Environmental Medicine, 82(5), 543-549. doi: 10.3357/ASEM.2739.2011

Journal - Research Article

O'Hare, D., Mullen, N., & Arnold, A. (2010). Enhancing aeronautical decision making through case-based reflection. International Journal of Aviation Psychology, 20(1), 48-58. doi: 10.1080/10508410903415963

Journal - Research Article

Mascarenhas, D. R. D., Button, C., O'Hare, D., & Dicks, M. (2009). Physical performance and decision making in association football referees: A naturalistic study. Open Sports Sciences Journal, 2(1). doi: 10.2174/1875399X00902010001

Journal - Research Article

O'Hare, D., & Stenhouse, N. (2009). Under the weather: An evaluation of different modes of presenting meteorological information for pilots. Applied Ergonomics, 40(4), 688-693. doi: 10.1016/j.apergo.2008.06.007

Journal - Research Article

Pauley, K., O'Hare, D., & Wiggins, M. (2009). Measuring expertise in weather-related aeronautical risk perception: The validity of the Cochran-Weiss-Shanteau (CWS) Index. International Journal of Aviation Psychology, 19(3), 201-216. doi: 10.1080/10508410902979993

Journal - Research Article

Plessner, H., Schweizer, G., Brand, R., & O'Hare, D. (2009). A multiple-cue learning approach as the basis for understanding and improving soccer referees' decision making. Progress in Brain Research, 174, 151-158. doi: 10.1016/S0079-6123(09)01313-2

Journal - Research Article

O'Hare, D., & Stenhouse, N. (2008). Redesigning a graphic weather display for pilots. Ergonomics in Design, 16(4), 11-15. doi: 10.1518/106480408X393329

Journal - Research Article

O'Hare, D., Mullen, N., & Rinaldi, M. (2008). Brief encounters: Enhancing the impact of accident and incident occurrence reports. International Journal of Aviation Psychology, 18(3), 225-236. doi: 10.1080/10508410802073384

Journal - Research Article

O'Hare, D., Mullen, N., Wiggins, M., & Molesworth, B. (2008). Finding the right case: The role of predictive features in memory for aviation accidents. Applied Cognitive Psychology, 22, 1163-1180. doi: 10.1002/acp.1428

Journal - Research Article

Pauley, K. A., O'Hare, D., Mullen, N. W., & Wiggins, M. (2008). Implicit perceptions of risk and anxiety and pilot involvement in hazardous events. Human Factors, 50(5), 723-733.

Journal - Research Article

Pauley, K., O'Hare, D., & Wiggins, M. (2008). Risk tolerance and pilot involvement in hazardous events and flight into adverse weather. Journal of Safety Research, 39(4), 403-411. doi: 10.1016/j.jsr.2008.05.009

Journal - Research Article

O'Brien, K. S., & O'Hare, D. (2007). Situational awareness ability and cognitive skills training in a complex real-world task. Ergonomics, 50(7), 1064-1091.

Journal - Research Article

Mascarenhas, D., O'Hare, D., & Plessner, H. (2006). The psychological and performance demands of association football refereeing. International Journal of Sport Psychology, 37, 99-120.

Journal - Research Article

Molesworth, B., Wiggins, M. W., & O'Hare, D. (2006). Improving pilots' risk assessment skills in low-flying operations: The role of feedback and experience. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 38, 954-960.

Journal - Research Article

O'Hare, D. (2006). Cognitive functions and performance shaping factors in aviation accidents and incidents. International Journal of Aviation Psychology, 16(2), 145-156.

Journal - Research Article

O'Hare, D., Chalmers, D., & Scuffham, P. (2006). Case-control study of risk factors for fatal and non-fatal injury in crashes of rotary-wing aircraft. Journal of Safety Research, 37, 293-298.

Journal - Research Article

Batt, R., & O'Hare, D. (2005). Pilot behaviors in the face of adverse weather: A new look at an old problem. Aviation, Space, & Environmental Medicine, 76(6), 552-559.

Journal - Research Article

More publications...