The transition from training to work roles : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University, Manawatu, New Zealand

Figures 1 and 2 are re-used with permission.Joining the RNZAF (Royal New Zealand Air Force) is a significant career commitment and navigating through the early phases of this can be a daunting process. Training prepares newcomers to take on junior work roles and the relative success of this onboarding process will be influenced by the newcomer, depending on their personal growth, competence, and social integration. The aim of this study is to examine the experiences of newcomers who have transitioned through this process and to investigate the factors that made this easier or harder for them. 5 Logistics Operators were interviewed for the study. They had all completed recruit training and the logistics operator (junior) course, and were in an early work role. A qualitative methodology (thematic analysis) was used to gain and examine the data. Themes were broadly categorised into developing competence and overcoming social challenges. The development of competence was dependant on the relevance of training, the ability for newcomers to control their own workplace role, and the reliability of their workplace norms and expectations. Social challenges were managed through the building of workplace relationships, having the ability and confidence to seek clarity from supervisors, and the feeling of social integration within the wider organisation. Outcomes of this study may increase our knowledge of organisational socialisation as it applies within a military context

The effect of broadband noise on dynamic decision-making and the moderators that influence this effect

Noise and workload are both stressors. Stressors are known to affect cognitive performance. While the effect of workload on cognition is widely known, the effect of noise is less understood. Broadband noise at moderate levels (<85 dBA) is typical in many workplaces. Dynamic decision-making (DDM), a complex cognitive task, is required in many workplace settings where moderate broadband noise is present. Understanding how stressors such as noise affect DDM is essential, especially in safety critical professions such as aviation and emergency response. Therefore, the aim of the present research was to understand the effect of moderate broadband noise on DDM and the moderators that can influence the extent of that effect. Study 1, the first of the three studies, was a systematic review for the effect of moderate broadband noise on cognition such as reaction time, attention, short-term memory, long-term memory and high(er)-order cognitive tasks such as DDM. The findings showed that no previous studies investigated the effect of moderate broadband noise on DDM. Study 2, the first of two empirical studies examined the link between noise at 75 dBA, sex, workload, and session on DDM (performance and learning). Study 3 introduced the moderator of financial incentive and additional instructions. The results indicated females’ performance in DDM was affected by noise at low workload, but not high workload. Males were overall unaffected by noise regardless of the workload level. In terms of learning, noise initially impaired females’ performance, however this was overcome in Day 2. The added instruction had the same positive effect on learning performance, as it neutralised the noise effect. Monetary incentives did not moderate the noise stressor. These results highlight the detrimental effect of the stressor noise on DDM, and how its effect on sex can be offset by clear training instructions. The effect of noise can be beneficial to performance in the presence of another stressor, such as high workload, which is supported by theories such as Arousal Theory and Maximal Adaptability Theory. From applied perspective, this finding implies that noise can be a tool to facilitate performance in high workload