Group dynamic phenomena during decision-making in avalanche terrain

Human factors in avalanche research

Traditionally, avalanche research have focused on properties of the snow cover, on terrain factors and on the influence of the weather conditions on the avalanche danger. However, concerning most avalanche accidents human factors play a key role in the complex process of decision-making since most avalanches have been triggered by the involved people themselves. Werner Munter was the first who took this aspect into account when he included the human factors in his 3x3 scheme. But later on, human factors played a secondary role in simple graphical decision aid tools. The avalanche danger level from the forecast and the slope angle came to the fore of the danger estimation process. A further important landmark has been done by Ian McCammon when he described the most important heuristic traps in recreational avalanche activity. His research has widely been established and published in avalanche safety literature.

Links:
http://www.snowpit.com/articles/traps%20reprint.pdf
http://www.slf.ch/dienstleistungen/buecher/lawinenkunde/index_DE
http://download.whiterisk.org/WRStore/lang_d/home/home.jsp

Groups, group dynamics and social psychology

Most people on backcountry tours, off-piste runs or snow shoe tours travel in groups. Individuals in these groups have different roles like group leader, expert, mountain guide or simple group member on the one hand and stay in different relationships on among each other like couples, friends or families. The individuals in a group stay in a social context and are influenced by others behavior. Regarding the estimation of the avalanche danger, the decisions of the group as a whole is crucial, and this can be different than decisions which individuals of the same group would choose. To shed light on these group dynamic effects is the goal of this project. Thereby we respect theories and concepts from social psychology like conformity, leadership styles, social facilitation or the efficiency of different decision-making processes.

^{Big groups are most prone to group dynamic effects and therefore difficult to manage (Photo: SLF/ B. Zweifel, 30.1.2011).}

Group interviews in the field

To assess group dynamic effects during recreational winter sports activity in avalanche terrain, we use group interviews in the field, on starting and ending points for backcountry tours and off-piste routes. Planning, motivation, leadership and decision-making style, group structure and risk behavior are assessed with qualitative interviews and methods – a new field for the field of avalanche research which is strongly dominated by natural science. Methods from social and management science will support this study.

^{SLF Van as research place (Photos: N. Bischof, 20.1.2013).}

Group-check tool

What can be used by recreationists out of this research? One goal of the study is to develop a simple group-check tool to assess recreational groups on their risk potential for group dynamics. This could help a group leader to plan his group or to be aware of group related phenomena. Further, we want to show strategies to face group related phenomena in advance.

Contact: B. Zweifel