Narcisismo na aviação: relações de poder abusivas no cockpit

Abstract

This study addresses the potentially abusive relationship dynamics that can occur within the restricted environment of the aircraft cockpit, investigating the possible correlation between such dynamics and aviation accidents. Research suggests that in some cases the presence of a narcissistic personality disorder on the part of the crew leader may be associated with these events. The research, of a qualitative and quantitative nature, thus investigates the impact that commanders with narcissistic traits have on the safety of air operations, neglecting essential aspects of crew resource management (CRM), such as communication, which can result in phenomena such as safety silence. Using a bibliographic and documentary approach, the study analyzes toxic leadership behaviors, such as abusive supervision, authoritarian leadership and narcissism. Given the indicators raised in the researched literature, it is suggested that narcissism is linked to optimism in the perception of risk in aviation, which can compromise flight safety. Furthermore, it was found that aspects such as questioning the authority of commanders may be associated with the fear that permeates abusive relationships within the cockpit. Furthermore, the relationship between personality and performance in aviation was highlighted, suggesting that individual traits can influence the occurrence of accidents or incidents during flights and that manipulative leaders in airlines harm safety and increase the company's costs due to various factors. These insights point to the complexity of aviation safety, which involves individual, cultural and organizational factors, which demands the improvement of the integration of psychological assessments in the selection and monitoring processes of aviation professionals, including additional methods to identify potential behavioral disorders.