Interrelations between the small isolated groups with homogeneous and heterogeneous composition.

Increase in the heterogeneity of a space crew's composition (cultural and gender differences) is a risk factor that can negatively influence the formation of a cohesive crew, which depends on a common way of perceiving one's social environment, goals and values. Method. Three groups working in isolation from 110 to 240 days, all with different cultural and gender composition were analysed using a modification of Kelly's repertory grid technique during a space simulation at the Institute for Biomedical Problems, Moscow. Subjects assessed themselves and each other monthly. Results. National Russian and international groups failed to create a single cohesive crew. Members of both groups considered people from their group as "us" and their neighbours as "them". Their relations became more negative during the mission, with attitudes changing from neutral to poor. Subjects began to perceive each other as "different and distant". Cultural and language differences prevented national (Russian) and international groups from forming a common understanding of behavioural rules and establishing close emotional contacts. Conclusions. Differences in perception of the interpersonal environment, group goals and values in national and international groups hindered the formation of a joint cohesive crew.

Some problems of group interaction in prolonged space flights.

The objective of this paper is to describe psychological phenomena which has developed in the course of inter- and intragroup interaction in space. Several objective reasons are stressed which comprise the basis of the formation of the majority of the psychological phenomena. The authors also discuss prediction of these phenomena, namely, can they occur on the International Space Station (ISS) and what countermeasures will prevent them. In the analysis, the authors rely on the practice of prolonged spaceflight (PSF) psychological support in Russia; preliminary results of several flights within the Mir/NASA project; the personal experience of cosmonaut Valery V. Polyakov; and data gained during prolonged studies simulating PSF conditions (isolation, microgravity, etc.).

Subject's perceptions of the crew interaction dynamics under prolonged isolation.

BACKGROUND: The interactions of individuals participating in space simulation studies can give us valuable information about ways that space crew members relate with one another. A promising method of investigating such interactions is based on the Kelly repertory grid technique. HYPOTHESES: We predicted that in a space simulation crew: 1) one's personal self-concept would become closer to concepts about other crew members in a cohesive crew, and vice-versa, and 2) the similarity of one's ego images in the past, present and future influences that person's position in the group. METHOD: Crews from two isolation studies lasting 135 and 90 days at the Institute for Biomedical Problems in Moscow were evaluated using a modification of the Kelly repertory grid technique. Members assessed each other on a monthly basis and during off-nominal simulated docking periods. RESULTS: During both isolations, crew members were unsuccessful in making their personal self-concepts move closer to their concepts about fellow crew members. Crew disintegration resulted, with one member becoming an outsider whose personality was characterized by a disintegrated ego-image and an infantile type of the present ego. CONCLUSIONS: In small isolated groups, failure to make personal self-concepts become more like concepts about other crew members can lead to group disintegration and tension and can result in the appearance of an outsider who has a disintegrated ego-image and an infantile present ego.

Content analysis of the crew communication with external communicants under prolonged isolation.

BACKGROUND: The communication between space crews and outside monitoring personnel in Mission Control gives us valuable information about crewmember psychological health. Studying the formal parameters of similar communication during ground-based space simulation missions helps us understand the psychological climate of confined groups over time, and this information can be applied to long-term space missions. HYPOTHESES: We hypothesized that psychological closing and information filtration will be observed in a confined crew as the mission progresses and will differ by the type of communication (e.g., audio vs. computer-generated) with the outside monitors in the simulated Mission Control (MC). In addition, communication patterns will vary with the specific group of people on-duty outside. METHOD: Audio and computer communications between space simulation crews and MC teams were analyzed during two isolation studies lasting 135 and 90 d at the Institute for Biomedical Problems in Moscow. A number of temporal, content and quantitative parameters of verbal activity were examined. RESULTS: The total intensity of communication dropped after month 1 of the missions. The Commander had the highest intensity of communication. There was evidence for the presence of psychological closing and information filtration in the crews over time, with some variation based on type of communication. Communication patterns differed with different outside teams. CONCLUSIONS: The communication between confined groups and outside monitoring personnel is affected by psychological closing and information filtration and by the make-up of the teams that comprise the monitoring groups.

Psychological evaluation and support during EXEMSI. Experimental Campaign for the European Manned Space Infrastructure.

The aim of this study was to investigate changes in the psychological state of the crew members and the needs for psychological support during prolonged isolation. For the purpose methods employed that have been widely used in psychological evaluation during Soviet spaceflights. Communication between Commander and Crew Interface Coordinator (CIC) was analyzed. Crew disposition was observed and analyzed for information about the process of group formation and the role of each crew member in this process. Operation of the CIC's was investigated for evidence of a psychological support function. During isolation certain adaptive changes in communication took place: (1) use of unplanned contacts and intensive contacts with a preferred ground crew member, (2) resistance to penetration in the life of the crew (increase of aggressive statements and self-justifications, reduction of report length and claims), and (3) closing communication to "outsiders" by using a special code and decreasing discussion of problems. A process of group formation was noted in the course of isolation, but the final structure of the group was not stable. The relations of subjects B, D and G were crucial in the creation of an effective crew. The woman in the crew was never involved in conflicts and acted as a peacemaker. The crew regarded the communication channel between Commander and CIC as belonging to the entire crew for expressing feelings about crew relations, administration and services, and the CIC can provide needed psychological support, confirming earlier experience from Soviet simulated and actual spaceflights.

Work capability during isolation.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of prolonged isolation on the higher psychic functions, like working memory, attention concentration, and intellect (problem solving and decision making), and on sensory-motor skills and stress resistance. Previous Soviet simulation studies and the ISEMSI isolation experiment have indicated that prolonged isolation can affect higher psychic functions. A set of psychological tests in the form of a computer game was presented each workday to the chamber crew and to the ground crew serving as a control group. In analyzing the data it was taken into account that performance can be affected not only by the influence of isolation, but also by a learning process and by subject motivation. In addition, a distinction was made between absolute score and stability (range) of the score. Analysis of the chamber crew's work capability as a function of time showed the occurrence of three distinct periods of adaptation: (1) a period of acute adaptation in week 1, (2) a period of stable adaptation during weeks 3-6, and (3) a period of "final effort" in weeks 8-9. While in general the effect of isolation on the absolute scores was minor, larger ranges for the scores in "working memory," "attention concentration," and "calculation under time deficit" tests are an indication of increased instability, probably due to stress resistance. The 4 female subjects of the combined groups scored significantly higher than the 5 males in "attention concentration/distribution," "spatial orientation," "intuition in visual search," and "logical decision making under time deficit." Males presented higher scores in "calculation under time deficit" and working memory, and higher stability in "attention concentration" and "calculation under time deficit."

Human factor in manned Mars mission.

This paper presents the set of specific problems in manned Mars mission, connected with human factor, and scientific approaches for their resolution. The concept of multifunctional medical Complex for Martian spacecraft is discussed.