Human Factors in Automated and Robotic Space Systems Proceedings of a Symposium (1987) / Chapter Skim
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Social Stress, Computer-Mediated Communication Systems, and Human Productivity in Space Stations: A Research Agenda
Social Stress, Computer-Mediated Communication Systems, and Human Productivity in Space Stations: A Research Agenda
Pages 329-355
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From page 329... ...
, _, e ~ _ _ e , ~ _ _ _ ~ ~ _ ~ _ ~ ~ J clearly, a wide range of processes and factors must be taken into account when considering the more social aspects of this enterprise. These include technologist constraints, pressures, -physiologic limits, psychological processes (including cognitive capacities and mativationa~ factors)
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From page 330... ...
confronting NASA as it plans for the extended duration existence of groups of individuals in space with limited opportunity for replacement or exit. These critical contingencies include the social and psychological management of stress (regardless of the nature of the stressors)
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From page 331... ...
identifies several studies suggesting that only the undesirable changes significantly affect stress levels, although she goes an to critique these studies as well as many of the total change sues for fat ing to include independent indicators of their independent and dependent variables. Her findings also suggest that 'Cohen he~lth-related events are controlled, other undesirable events have small and nonsignificant effects upon psychophysiological distress" (as Measured by reports of psychosomatic symptoms using the MacMillan Health Opinion Survey Index)
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From page 332... ...
, "the individual who is constantly challenged by even relatively innocuous occupational and social demands and who is, as a result, repeatedly mobilized for struggle may be particularly vulnerable to certain disorders (Glass, 1977~." Given the duration of planned space station missions, the cumulative physiological, psychological and social impact of intermittent and continue exposure to multiple stressors must be investigated. Another significant factor in space stations related to multiple stressors is the recognition that the stressors will be produced by quite different types of events and forces.
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From page 333... ...
style, an inefficient or inequitable division of labor, a lack of perceived 1agit;macy cancer m ng the allocation of leadership responsible ities or aubbority, the inequitable allocation of individual or collective rewards, lack of a clear definition of role or task responsible ities, uncertainty regarding the timing, coordination or sequencing of related tasks especially when synchronization is a critical factor, and the arbitrary or inappropriate exercise of authority or influence (i.~. violating role prescriptions or norms conocrning the use of private timed.
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From page 334... ...
(1980) "hypothesize that the combined interests of task accomplishment and social compatibility will be best served if crew Seers straw a strong work and mastery orientation, but relatively little campetitiveness." Group Decision~ g Ur~=r Stress Relearn of particular interest to 2~;A is Me research on the relationship between stress and decision-makir~ which Eric that
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. Additional factors identified by Janis as associated with the antecedents of hypervigilan~= are the lack of contact with family members or other support persons, lack of perceived control and lack of preparatory information alcut potential stressful events.
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In Connors (1985:146) words, "Given that future missions will require increase levels of cooperative functionir~, selection and trainer'; procures ~st not only yield effective individuals, they st yield effective g~vups." The dominant Characteristic of Efface station missions in the near future involving 6-8 crew m ~ cars marooned in space for approximately ninety day intervals of the high degree of interdependence among the group members (and possibly between groups in different Accuses at some point)
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From page 337... ...
Coping mechanisms and adaptation responses form one axis of current research, the second axis is extensive work on factors that ' ~ diate" the stress response. Such factors include individual difference= which relate not only to susceptibility, but also to cognitive appraised and effective coping.
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documents that waken ten] to be more affected by undesirable life events than men even though they do not report significantly more _ ~ = ~ To___ ~ a IT ~~= ~ ~ ^^ A ~ ___— ~ ~ TV_— _-D ' _~.L~ ::~U~1 Novell Hi- ~~1~:L Olaf l~l~;L~U \1:70~)
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From page 339... ...
The balk of the research days with individual tasks, not collective or highly interdependent tasks. A Peso arch Agenda: System-Level Responses to Stress In the previous era when highly trained male pal ots were selected as astronauts on the basis of p ysical stem m a, high tolerance for stress, psychological stability and technical competence for space missions involving relatively short-term exposure to multiple stressors in dangerous environments, l ~= attention was paid to research on stress.
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the socially efficient and productive management of interpersonal communications. Development of a specific research proposal is beyond the scope of this chapter, however, research recommendations to NA5A would include examination of existing data on crew interactions especially under stressful conditions to isolate effective interpersonal strategies for coping with stress and to identify particular interaction sequence= which either exacerbated or mitigated stress responses.
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From page 341... ...
Ccm~Nnir~tion mcdali~y is also a critical factor in the coordination of activities aboard the space station. An intensive examination of the benefits and disadvantages of different modes of communication for within crew interactions, as well as for interactions between crew members and "grcun5" or mission control personnel, and for crew interactions with significant others is requircl.
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From page 342... ...
Results Bin ~ the effects of communication mode on participation rates also requires further investigation in relation to task complexity and degree of task interdependence. the greater equality in participation rater fostered by computPr-mediation may be functional for forks requiring creative solutions (or *
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It appears that computer-mediation may mitigate the inhibiting effects of face-to-face ccmmunication when "subordinates" have across to critical information and may need to challenge authority or the group ts dominant decision strategy (see Foushee, 1982, 1984, etc.~. Connors (1985~174)
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harsher ~ re, much of the evidence they cite is anealot~1, based on the experiences of those in positions to evaluate existing camputer-mediat-~ communication networks. Cough cc mput~r-~;ated communication networks of various sizes have existed for at least a decade, research examining the effects on specific variables related to group function m g and organizational effectiveness is fairly recent.
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argue that more conflict may result face the increased access to alternative vim and that a "false sense of Have consensus" mav arise (Barr arm Hiltz 1982:125)
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From page 346... ...
Communication Network Structure, Centrality and Power Prior research on communication networks In the social sciences provided evidence that the specific configuration or structure of the network affected the efficiency of problem solving groups. But more recent research tents to indicate that these results may not be valid for mandated communication systems.
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From page 347... ...
As noted above, in particular, in systems involving highly tra wed professionals the upward flow of critical information must not be circumvented by bureaucratic praceduras or restricted communication channels. Maximization of group productivity and problem solving efficiency is likely to occur under conditions of open access to communication channels rather than strict hierarchical access under conditions of complex tasks, high uncerta sty and a highly professionalized staff.
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From page 348... ...
Simulations could be designed which would mirror some of the most critical circumstances and used to evaluate alternative network structures, systemic of controlled versus c pen access to information, seven different tulles and levels of complex tasks. Problem solving Decency and group productivity woula He a primary focus of the Usury, although other issues sup as increase social c~runi~tion between crew melters an]
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From page 349... ...
Improved methods for coping with multiple stressors in hostile environments and a better understanding of the social and psychological effects of computer-m-~;ated communication systems have great potential applicability in a wide range of human social contexts. m e payoffs for society as we know it on earth are potentially even greater than the payoffs for life as we envision it on space stations in the next century.
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From page 350... ...
(4) Tr~restigate the E=ter~tial a= of Alter radiated canmu~cation between crew Airs am significant athers ~ earth atter~ir~ to issues of privacy, social support arm the effects on responses to isolation, nfi~rit arm ~ r stressors on apace station missions.
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1982 m e stress of caring: women as providers of social support.
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P., eds. 1974b Stressful life Events: Their Nature and Effects.
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Presented at the annual meetings of the American Sociological Association, Toronto, Canada. Holmes, T
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D 1984 Sex differences in vulnerability to undesirable life events.
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A 1981 Undesirable life events and psychophysiological distress: a problem of operational confounding.
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