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

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.