Abstract
New approaches to optimization of interpersonal relationships in an isolated small group proposed in this paper can be applied to a manned mission to Mars. Some of these approaches have been tested in the course of preparation and implementation of an experiment with a 105-day isolation (the MARS-105 project) simulating the initial period of a manned mission to Mars. A variety of methods, such as evaluating the efficiency of interpersonal interaction (a Homeostat device), value orientations, self-perception, and interpersonal relationships within the crew (the PSPA test, classic sociometry) have been used. In the middle of the isolation period (the second 35-day cycle), a decrease in cohesion of the crew was observed; in the same time, tension appeared, which enabled the phenomenon of pairing; i.e., the crew split into stable pairs opting for inner communication. Closer relations between some crew members and clashes between the others modulated interpersonal perception. The set of methods provided efficient evaluation of the group behavior, diagnosis of interpersonal problems, and the grounds for improving psychological selection for participation in future manned interplanetary missions.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Vinokhodova, A.G., Bystritskaya, A.F., and Smirnova, T.M., Group Aspects of Resistance to Information Stress during Activities under Extreme Conditions, in Organizm i okruzhayushchaya sreda: adaptatsiya k ekstremal’nym usloviyam (Body and Environment: Adaptation to Extreme Conditions), Moscow, 2003, p. 76.
Vinokhodova, A.G., Bystritskaya, A.F., and Smirnova, T.M. An Ability to Psychical Self-Regulation as a Factor of Stress-Resistance under the Conditions of Space Flight, Aviakosm. Ekol. Med., 2005, vol. 39, no. 5, p. 14.
Vinokhodova, A.G., Bystritskaya, A.F., and Eskov, K.N., Group Psychological Selection for Manned Mars Space Mission, in XIII konf. po kosm. biol. i aviakosm. med. (XIII Conf. on Space Biology and Aerospace Medicine), Moscow, 2006, p. 54.
Vinokhodova, A.G., Bystritskaya, A.F., and Smirnova, T.M., Evaluation of Individual Stress Resistance in Professional Cosmonauts for Selecting Individuals Able to Perform Complicated and Critical Activities, Aviakosm. Ekol. Med., 2007, vol. 41, no. 6/1, p. 20.
Grigor’ev, A.I., Demin, E.P., Bystritskaya, A.F., Gushchin, V.I., and Vinokhodova, A.G., Features of Organizing Life Activities of the Crew of the Manned Mars Mission, Aviakosm. Ekol. Med., 2002, vol. 36, no. 5, p. 3.
Gushchin, V.I., Problems of Distant Communication of Isolated Small Groups, Human Physiol., 2003, vol. 29, no. 5, p. 548.
Gushchin, V.I., Efimov, V.A., Smirnova, T.M., and Vinogradova, A.G., The Dynamics of Subjective Perception of Interpersonal Relations in the Crew during Prolonged Isolation, Aviakosm. Ekol. Med., 1997, vol. 31, no. 4, p. 23.
Eskov, K.N., Group Psychological Studies in Prolonged Ground-Based Experiments Using “Homeostat” Technique, Aviakosm. Ekol. Med., 2005, vol. 39, no. 5, p. 19.
Eskov, K.N., Evaluating the Efficiency of Interpersonal Iinteractions in the Experiment with Prolonged Isolation, Aviakosm. Ekol. Med., 2007, vol. 41, no. 4, p. 30.
Novikov, M.A., Psychophysiological selection of the Crew and Training for a Space Flight, in Psikhologicheskie problemy kosmicheskikh poletov (Psychological Problems in Space Missions), Moscow, 1979, p. 130.
Novikov, M. A., Psychophysiological and Eco-Psychological Aspects of Interpersonal Interaction under Autonomous Conditions, in Problemy Obshcheniya v Psikhologii (Communicational Problems in Psychology), Lomova, B.F., Ed., Moscow, 1981, p. 178.
Novikov, M.A., Losev, A.A., Makarov, Yu.A., et al., Increasing Human Resistance to Emotional Factors Using Methods of Self-Regulation, in VII Vsesoyuz. konf. po kosm. biol. i aviakosm. med. (VII All-Union Conf. on Space Biology and Aerospace Medicine), 1982, Moscow, 1982, part 2, p. 30.
Novikov, M.A., Losev, A.A., Makarov, Yu.A., and Bystritskaya, A.F., The Significance of Regulatory Abilities of a Person for Adaptation to an Isolated Environment, in VII Vsesoyuz. konf. po kosm. biol. i aviakosm. med. (VII All-Union Conf. on Space Biology and Aerospace Medicine), 1982, Moscow, 1982, part 2, p. 31.
Universal’naya psikhofiziologicheskaya laboratoriya Neurolab BioMouse: Rukovodstvo po prakt. ispol’zovaniyu(Neurolab BioMouse, a Versatile Psychophysiological Laboratory: A Manual), Moscow, 2003.
Khananashvili, M.M., Psychogenic stress. Theory, Experiment, and Practice, Vestn. Ross. Akad. Med. Nauk, 1998, no. 8, p. 13.
Khananashvili, M.M., Vinokhodova, A.G., Gushchin, V.I., and Sal’nitskii, V.P., Novelties in Psychological Selection, Training, and Manning the Crew for the Mars Manned Mission, Vestn. RGNF, 2008, no. 1, p. 137.
Novikov, M., Bystritskaya, A., Eskov, K. N., Vasilyiev, V. K., Vinokhodova, A. G., and Davies, C., Homeostat — A Bioengineering System, in Proceedings of 23rd International Conference on Environmental Systems, Colorado Springs, p. 1.
Vinokhodova, A.G., Bustritskaya, A.F., and Eskov, K.N., Inter-Group Relationship under Simulated Long-Term Isolation Conditions, Space Technology, 2002, vol. 22,part 3/4, p. 103.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Original Russian Text © A.G. Vinokhodova, V.I. Gushchin, K.N. Eskov, M.M. Khananashvili, 2010, published in Aviakosmicheskaya i Ekologicheskaya Meditsina, 2010, Vol. 44, No. 4, pp. 5–10.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Vinokhodova, A.G., Gushchin, V.I., Eskov, K.N. et al. Psychological selection and optimization of interpersonal relationships in an experiment with 105-days isolation. Hum Physiol 38, 677–682 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0362119712070262
Received:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S0362119712070262