1 Psychology and human development1.6 Thought and higher cortical functions
1.6.4 Human and cultural factors in decisions
1 min read
Written by Resident Doctor Committee · Published
New in the 2027 syllabus
The College added this topic for exams from January 2027.
Conditions around a decision
Human factors looks at how people interact with their tasks, equipment, teams and working conditions. This includes the predictable limits of attention and memory.
Fatigue, interruptions and time pressure make people rely more on their first impression and check alternatives less.
Cultural values shape what risk feels acceptable, attitudes to authority, how far the family is involved and what a preferred outcome means. Ask the individual. Do not assume their preferences from the group they belong to.
Team decisions
Groupthink is when a team puts agreement ahead of a realistic appraisal. Close-knit teams under pressure may hold back doubts, even when individual members can see the risks.
Hierarchy can stop people speaking up. Unclear responsibilities can leave everyone assuming someone else has checked the decision.
Safeguards include setting out alternatives explicitly, gathering independent initial opinions, an impartial chair and inviting people to challenge the leading explanation.
Shared decision-making combines clinical information with the person's own priorities and understanding. Explain things in accessible language and check that the person has understood.