ABSTRACT
There are two approaches to ensuring the effectiveness of the man-machine system. One of these approaches involves adapting the technical components of the system to the operator. This approach involves design decisions that correspond to the psychological, physiological, and anthropometrical characteristics of man. This approach of ensuring the effectiveness of the man-machine system cannot always be realized to the fullest extent. Consequently, the second approach is also important and involves adaptation of the operator to work conditions and the technical components of the man-machine system. This direction includes selection of personnel and training. These two approaches are interdependent and should often be used in unity. In those cases when the man-machine system involves extreme work conditions, the role of personnel selection is increased. However, issues of personnel selection are addressed in relationship to training within the framework of activity theory. In cases of extreme work conditions of special importance are individualized training methods, directed towards the formation of individual strategies of activity which provide the adaptation of the individual to the objective conditions of activity. Both in the training and selection of personnel, the study of individual characteristics of personality and their compatibility with the objective demands of work activity becomes critically important. It should be noted that the study of the individual characteristics of activity is also important for the design of the man-machine system. In this case the system is designed in such a way that the various function regimes of the man-machine system can be adapted to the individual personality characteristics of personnel. In this way, the study of personality and individual differences is of critical importance in the study of human work.
