The dynamics and the interpersonal and intrapersonal relations within an isolated group in extreme environments

The evolution of interpersonal and intrapersonal relations within an isolat ed group was investigated during two Italian Antarctic summer campaigns usi ng the Matrix of Intra and Interpersonal Processes in the Group (MIPG). Thi s instrument was effective in the detection of particular modifications of the underlying social-emotional dynamics taking place in the group. In the group of the first campaign, fear of revealing one's true self decreased du ring the campaign, whereas idealization of the harmony and the repression o f all tensions increased. In the second campaign, idealization decreased ev en more with time, whereas the fear of revealing the self increased at the end of the stay An indirect confirmation of the validity of the MIPG parame ters is provided by the correlation between some of its configurations and the positive aspects of individual behavior empirically assessed by the med ical officers.