Assessing Group Identity in a Mars Simulation Environment
- Paper number
IAC-06-A1.1.01
- Author
Dr. Sheryl Bishop, The University of Texas Medical Branch, United States
- Coauthor
Dr. Katherine Reynolds, Australia
- Coauthor
Dr. Rachael Eggins, Australia
- Coauthor
Dr. Steve Dawson, Australia
- Coauthor
Dr. Nishi Rawat, The John Hopkins University, United States
- Coauthor
Ms. Kelly Bunzeluk, International Space University (ISU), France
- Year
2006
- Abstract
Introduction: Ongoing studies at the Mars Society Utah Desert Simulation Facility presented an opportunity to examine complex human social processes under simulated conditions that included environmental similarities to Mars. Data on teams rotating through the MDRS across four seasons (2003-2006) explored the formation of group and sub-group identification and its relationship with personality and achievement profiles, group goals and group and personal functioning (e.g., well-being, stress). This paper will examine the utility of an investigator developed assessment of group identity and its relationship with established personality and achievement measures. Methods: Teams were asked to complete a measure dealing with social identity and group organization on three different occasions throughout the missions in addition to the AstroPCI personality inventory at the beginning of the mission. Preliminary Results: Preliminary psychometric analyses that do not yet include 2006 data indicate a stable core of group identity items. Furthermore, the group identity subscales do seem to detect the presence of subgroups and demonstrate a pattern of significant relationships with personality factors. Analyses will be conducted at both the team/mission level and by pooling all participants across seasons to maximize subject size and provide stability and generalizability. Conclusions: Establishing a valid and reliable assessment instrument of group identity will vastly improve insight into group dynamics, especially those dealing with the influence of the leader on group interaction and subgroup formation. The development of such an assessment tool should be pursued as a potentially useful metric of group functioning. Relationships between group identity and personality factors could provide predictive insight into interaction outcomes that impact on group and mission performance.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-06-A1.1.01.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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