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Astronaut Crew Selection: Group Cohesiveness, Deviation, Stress, and Conformity

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Advances in Human Aspects of Transportation (AHFE 2018)

Part of the book series: Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing ((AISC,volume 786))

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Abstract

Long duration space travel (i.e., to Mars) requires that many human factors issues be resolved. The present laboratory experiment, examined the effect of group cohesiveness on conformity to a group norm. The experiment included 92 men and women in a 2 × 2 factorial design crossing High and Low Cohesiveness and Threat of Punishment for Non-Conformity. Stress responses were measured by cardiovascular measures. Deviation from the group increased stress responses; however, conformity did not decrease stress responses. Higher cohesiveness and threat of punishment were associated with greater conformity, but were not associated with stress. Greater systolic blood pressures responses were associated with greater conformity. Conformers showed greater stress response to deviation and attraction to the group compared with non-conformers. These findings are relevant for possible approaches for crew selection for long duration space missions.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by a fellowship from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Graduate Student Researchers Program. Thanks to Jerome E. Singer, Andrew Baum, Neil E. Grunberg, and Harry C. Holloway for their mentoring during the dissertation process and to the students, faculty, and administration of the USUHS Medical and Clinical Psychology Department for their assistance in all aspects of this work. Much appreciation to the International Space University community. Thanks to Charles F. Sheridan for his assistance in preparation of this manuscript. Thanks to Anacleta and Isabelo Sibolboro, Josephine and Nicola Mezzacappa, Maria DiLella, and Frieda Mezzacappa for their logistical support. Thanks to Isabelo Sibolboro, Jr. and Wilma Sell for their prayers. Gratitude to John, Lucia, and Philip Mezzacappa for their patience. Dedicated to Our Lady of the Highways.

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  1. 93 Stony Road, Edison, NJ, 08817, USA

    Elizabeth Mezzacappa

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  1. Elizabeth Mezzacappa
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Correspondence to Elizabeth Mezzacappa .

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  1. Faculty of Engineering and the Environment, Transportation Research Group, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK

    Neville Stanton

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Mezzacappa, E. (2019). Astronaut Crew Selection: Group Cohesiveness, Deviation, Stress, and Conformity. In: Stanton, N. (eds) Advances in Human Aspects of Transportation. AHFE 2018. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, vol 786. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-93885-1_18

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-93885-1_18

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-93884-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-93885-1

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