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Trolley dilemma in the sky: Context matters when civilians and cadets make remotely piloted aircraft decisions

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  • Markus Christen
  • Darcia Narvaez
  • Julaine D Zenk
  • Michael Villano
  • Charles R Crowell
  • Daniel R Moore

Abstract

Crews operating remotely piloted aircrafts (RPAs) in military operations may be among the few that truly experience tragic dilemmas similar to the famous Trolley Problem. In order to analyze decision-making and emotional conflict of RPA operators within Trolley-Problem-like dilemma situations, we created an RPA simulation that varied mission contexts (firefighter, military and surveillance as a control condition) and the social “value” of a potential victim. We found that participants (Air Force cadets and civilian students) were less likely to make the common utilitarian choice (sacrificing one to save five), when the value of the one increased, especially in the military context. However, in the firefighter context, this decision pattern was much less pronounced. The results demonstrate behavioral and justification differences when people are more invested in a particular context despite ostensibly similar dilemmas.

Suggested Citation

  • Markus Christen & Darcia Narvaez & Julaine D Zenk & Michael Villano & Charles R Crowell & Daniel R Moore, 2021. "Trolley dilemma in the sky: Context matters when civilians and cadets make remotely piloted aircraft decisions," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(3), pages 1-26, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0247273
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247273
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Mark Kelman & Tamar Admati Kreps, 2014. "Playing with Trolleys: Intuitions About the Permissibility of Aggregation," Journal of Empirical Legal Studies, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 11(2), pages 197-226, June.
    3. repec:cup:judgdm:v:6:y:2011:i:7:p:580-592 is not listed on IDEAS
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