I would like to agree with, and expand upon, Dr. Merritt's objections to
the term "brainwashing."
The use of the term to describe CRM training would seem to me to be not
only condescending to those developing and participating in the training,
but also to exude a significant degree of arrogance as well. The term
"brainwashing" is not only a loaded term, but also implies a one way
process. I believe CRM training to be a continual learning process for
both the individual crew member and the industry as a whole. To apply the
term "brainwashing" would seem to imply that we have all the answers which
we simply need to get into the heads of those undergoing CRM training.
Taking this approach to CRM would result in the loss of a vast wealth of
experience!
It has been stated in this forum that all training involves a certain
degree of brainwashing. In certain contexts this may be true, and if so,
perhaps what CRM is trying to achieve should be thought of as education as
opposed to training, a term which would seem better suited to communicate
the long term, two-way, nature of CRM.
Just some thoughts.
Cheers,
Joel.
F.J. Joel Morley
Research Officer
Human Factors Technology Group
College of Aeronautics
Cranfield University