General Instructions
Read the case and analyze it using the questions below. You must include specific theories and
concepts from the semester. Explain the theories you use, show how they apply to the case
and use them to answer the questions below. Please turn your term paper in hard copy.
Case Study: Friendly Fire. Scott Snook, Leslie Freeman and L. Jefferey Norwalk
Case Questions:
Perception
What aspects of judgement and perception played a part in the F15 pilots decision making error?
What impacted the judgement and perception of the AWACS crew? For both groups – what were
the individual influences, what were the social influences?
Groups
How did various aspects of group dynamics (e.g. roles, norms, status, cohesiveness, etc.) contribute to
the tragedy? What were the issues within different groups? Between different groups?
Communication Process
Where were the breakdowns in communications? Why did these occur?
Motivation
What motivated Captain Wickson the F-15 pilot? What motivated Lt. Wilson, the En-Route
controller? Describe what might have influenced their actions using motivation theories.
Decision
What changes or new rules should General Pilkington implement? What positive impact would they
have had on the Joint Task Force? What negative impact might occur?