The research group on Operational Psychology has its focus on effective cooperating in operational teams and organizations, including the defence, police force, and rescue areas. Central issues within Operational Psychology are situational awareness, risk assessment, safety climate, non-technical skills and problem solving under time constraints and uncertainty.
The research group consists of a core executive leader group ( Bjørn Helge Johnsen, Jarle Eid, and Jon Christian Laberg), a number of research associates, and several national and international collaborators. Specifically, there is a strong cooperation with fellow researchers in Sweden, US, and UK. PhD students are in progress with, or have finished their theses within ongoing projects. Master students in Psychology and Organisation are also attached to the group.
The core executive leader group is full time employed at The University of Bergen, Norway. They hold part time positions within The Norwegian Armed Forced and have generated several research projects in cooperation with The Royal Norwegian Naval Academy, The Royal Norwegian Air Force Academy, and other Units within the Defence system in Norway. Members of the group have participated in several international operations with the Armed Forces and gathered data.
The Operational Psychology group has been developing ideas about effective cooperation in operational teams for more than a decade (1993-2008). As of 2006, the Faculty of Psychology acknowledges this group as one of their prioritized research groups and adds financial support to their research activities.
Starting with operational teams in extreme situations, the group has developed research methods based on participating observation, behavioural simulations, and experimental studies using biological markers and self-reports. A main focus is on the application of knowledge within the operational units. The research has been distributed in international and national peer reviewed journals, a textbook, and teachings at the university and college level.
