COGNITIVE PROFILE OF OPERATIONAL LEVEL OFFICERS AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE FOR PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31891/pcs.2026.1.9Keywords:
cognitive profile, types of thinking, working memory, officers, stress, attentionAbstract
This article presents a detailed analysis of the cognitive profile of operational-level officers, based on the results of a comprehensive study of memory, attention, and various types of thinking, as well as an interpretation of its significance for the successful performance of official tasks and the optimization of professional training. Research into the cognitive abilities of operational-level officers is a crucial step in understanding the psychological factors that influence the effectiveness of management activities. In particular, the ability to concentrate, the speed of information processing, working memory, and logical and analytical thinking have a direct impact on the quality of decision-making in conditions of limited time, multifaceted complexity, and high stress levels. The operational level of management involves not only the ability to interpret available data but also the ability to engage in predictive thinking, that is, predicting the development of events based on incomplete or contradictory information. The research results show that the cognitive profile of military personnel can vary significantly depending on experience, professional specialization, level of stress resistance, and individual characteristics of the nervous system. The information obtained justifies the need for a personalized approach to improving officer training programs, including targeted development of cognitive functions. Systematic cognitive training can increase the overall effectiveness of operations in complex combat management conditions. Studies confirm that high cognitive flexibility is correlated with an increased ability to adapt in situations of information overload, which is typical of modern military operations. The generalized results reveal both strengths and weaknesses in the cognitive functioning of officers, underscoring the necessity for in-depth individual analysis to pinpoint specific cognitive deficits and areas for improvement. Such an approach will enable targeted correction and training of those components of mental activity that are crucial for the adequate performance of official tasks at the operational level of management.
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