SUBJECTS PERCEPTIONS OF THE CREW INTERACTION DYNAMICS UNDER PROLONGEDISOLATION

Background: The interactions of individuals participating in space sim ulation studies can give us valuable information about ways that space crew members relate with one another. A promising method of investiga ting such interactions is based on the Kelly repertory grid technique. Hypotheses: We predicted that in a space simulation crew: 1) one's pe rsonal self-concept would become closer to concepts about other crew m embers in a cohesive crew, and vice-versa, and 2) the similarity of on e's ego images in the past, present and future influences that person' s position in the group. Method: Crews from two isolation studies last ing 135 and 90 days at the institute for Biomedical Problems in Moscow were evaluated using a modification of the Kelly repertory grid techn ique. Members assessed each other on a monthly basis and during off-no minal 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 disintegrati on resulted, with one member becoming an outsider whose personality wa s characterized by a disintegrated ego-image and an infantile type of the present ego. Conclusions: In small isolated groups, failure to mak e personal self-concepts become more like concepts about other crew me mbers can lead to group disintegration and tension and can result in t he appearance of an outsider who has a disintegrated ego-image and an infantile present ego.