PS307

Slide1: 

Choosing Teams for Long Duration Space Missions: From Issues to Answers Sheryl L. Bishop, Ph.D. University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas

Challenges: 

Challenges Little funding for rigorous studies Large sample sizes nonexistent Access/participation by astronauts minimal Researchers spread across many disciplines Analog opportunities scattered ‘Selection’ of participants via research factors is nonexistent – population is convenience sample Samples small, participation commitment variable, dropout and missing data problematical Laboratory or simulations studies restricted Infrequent, limited generalizability, various factors lack verisimilitude (e.g., isolation, danger)

Slide3: 

WHAT TO MEASURE? MEASURING THE IMPACT OF AN EXTREME ENVIRONMENT….And generalizing to SPACE! WHAT IS THE RIGHT STUFF???

Critical Issues: 

Critical Issues Selection Isolation/ Confinement Group Interaction Individual & Crew Performance

Slide5: 

SELECTION ISSUES Individual ‘Fit’ Crew Size Gender Mix Education/Culture Work Role/Skill set

PCI Personality Clusters: 

PCI Personality Clusters CLUSTERS SCALES IE+ I- Low Motivation Instrumentality H H L Expressivity H L L Negative Instrumentality L H L Verbal Aggressiveness L H L Mastery H H L Work Orientation H H L Competitiveness L H L “Right Stuff” “Wrong Stuff” “No Stuff” Good expressive, Individualist, Indecisive, social & technical Poor team Unmotivated skills player

U.S. Deep Caving Team Personality Profiles: 

U.S. Deep Caving Team Personality Profiles N=Neuroticism; E=Extraversion; O=Openness to Experience; A=Agreeableness; C=Conscientiousness Positive Profile Negative Profile

Impact of Group Size on Social Influence and Conformity: 

Impact of Group Size on Social Influence and Conformity Baron & Byrne, 1991

GENDER COMPOSITION: 

GENDER COMPOSITION The presence of women exert a positive influence by normalizing the social environment and discouraging certain behaviors (e.g., drinking and fighting) that could lead to injury or group conflict. In mixed-gendered groups, men were more personally oriented, addressed individuals (instead of the general group) more often, spoke about themselves and their feelings more. When either gender is in a significant minority, overall group performance suffers. This effect is greatest for females in a male-dominated group. 1 of 2

Privacy, Crowding and Density: 

Privacy, Crowding and Density

CROWDING & DENSITY CONSIDERATIONS: 

CROWDING & DENSITY CONSIDERATIONS Women perceive small, comparatively crowded spaces as friendly and sociable, men tend to respond with irritation and discomfort. Under crowded conditions, women compete less with others and perceive their co-occupants as more likable than men. Men are more likely to feel personal zones violated and perceive a continuing challenge to patterns of male dominance. Density produces aggressiveness in males and nervousness in females. Crowding in male groups leads to a competitive, fragmented group orientation, whereas females form cohesive, cooperative groups. Thus, men respond with greater irritation and hostility to crowded conditions. Mixed-gendered groups appear to responds nearly as well to crowed conditions as to groups of women only.

Slide12: 

ISOLATION AND CONFINEMENT

Reported Psychological Problems in Space and Analog Environments: 

Reported Psychological Problems in Space and Analog Environments US Reported Problems Mir Space Subs Polar Sims Interper. conflict: x x x x x Somatic Complts: x x x x x Sleep Disturbance: x x x x Boredom, restless: x x x x x Decrements in perf: x x x x x Decline in group compatibility: x x x x x Substance abuse: - - ? x -

Slide14: 

Quote from the first North Crossing Expedition “We should beware of forming cliques on a 2 man expedition!” Group Interaction & Communication

General Characteristics of Effective Crews & Implications for Selection: 

General Characteristics of Effective Crews & Implications for Selection Best leaders let teams do work with minimal interference but recognize when group activity is needed and arranges that activity=leaders comfortable with delegation and flexible leadership Open communication and feedback channels=good mission structure + individuals comfortable with disclosure, group orientation and communication skills Group accepted formal and informal norms=Individuals selected willing to abide by group norms & predisposed to supporting group consensus and cohesion activities 1 of 2

General Characteristics of Effective Crews: 

General Characteristics of Effective Crews Clearly defined contingencies for achieving goals=Individuals must display abilities for autonomous decision making and task orientation. Groups of > 2 have boundary role persons who act to interpret interests & concerns of all sides to allow activity to progress smoothly=Team composition should include individuals that have interpersonal skills as well as task orientation skills. In small teams, all individuals should have skills in both arenas whereas in larger teams, it may be possible to allow more individual variation in interpersonal and task skills. 2 of 2

From the Diary of Levidev: 

From the Diary of Levidev June 14: “On board our relations are good, but our relations with Ground Control are becoming more complicated. It is probably not easy for them to feel our problems down there. I have to control myself more; I was bitching too much today during our communication period.”  July 16. “It is getting more difficult to fly…The most difficult and important thing in flight is to suppress anger during conversations with Ground Control and between ourselves. With accumulating fatigue, serious situations and difficult moments can occur when it would be disastrous to lose control. If there is a problem, nobody can help us. Our safety lies in each other and in cooperation.”

Crew Miscommunication, Misunderstanding & Interpersonal Conflict: 

Crew Miscommunication, Misunderstanding & Interpersonal Conflict No. of Impact Mission Phase incidents Low Mod. High Preflight Training 9 6 3 0 Inflight Operations 26 9 12 5 Payload/Experiments 4 1 3 0 Housekeeping 5 1 3 1 Personal Hygiene 5 1 3 1 Postflight Activities 7 3 4 0 Totals 42 18 19 5 Santy PA, Holland AW, Looper L and Marcondes-North R. 1993

Communication Patterns During ISEMSI: 

Communication Patterns During ISEMSI A B C E D F G A B E D F G C A B C E F D G Commander Group DAY 2 DAY 14 DAY 26 Sandal GM, Vaernes R, & Holger U, 1995

Slide20: 

Individual & Group Performance

STRESS INVENTORYDURING MISSION TOTAL-SCORES: 

STRESS INVENTORY DURING MISSION TOTAL-SCORES

Stress hormones and stressorsCortisol profile: 

Stress hormones and stressors Cortisol profile Stressors C1- Apprehension C2 - Logistical nightmare C3 - Severe storms, white outs C4 - Blizzards, crevasses, navigational nightmare

Males vs Females Stress vs Cortisol: 

Males vs Females Stress vs Cortisol

Recommendations: 

Recommendations Critical need for development and validation of multicultural measures to be used across studies Three major intervention points exist to affect group functioning outcomes: Selection Training Support The past is prologue Apply lessons learned to future analog environments and, of course, space missions

Slide25: 

QUESTIONS?

Slide26: 

MDRS Mona Lisa – Leonardo Crew Handover May 2005 Greatest stressor in mixed gendered groups tend to be environmental stressors followed by interpersonal focused on issues of group strategy and how to carry out tasks. Newest study on comparing identical missions at MDRS across an all female and an all male team will be reported at the IAC in Oct. Greatest stressor in all female polar & mountaineering teams was interpersonal concern for other team members leading to greater emotional distress in relations to other team member’s difficulties. (Kahn & Leon, 2000) 2 of 2 GENDER COMPOSITION