Citation

McFadden TJ, Helmreich RL, Rose RM, Fogg LF. Aviat. Space Environ. Med. 1994; 65(10 Pt 1): 904-909.

Affiliation

NASA/UT/FAA Aerospace Crew Research Project, University of Texas at Austin 78701-1022.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1994, Aerospace Medical Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

7832731

Abstract

In this study, measures of astronaut effectiveness were administered to volunteers from the astronaut corps in order to validate psychological "select-in" criteria for long-duration space missions. Using a peer nomination format, astronauts rated their peers with whom they had either flown or trained. Factor analysis revealed two latent performance dimensions: job competence and group living. The job competence dimension measured the instrumental aspects relating to job knowledge and job performance. The group living dimension measured the interpersonal aspects relating to teamwork and desirability as a colleague on Space Station. Analyses revealed that the personality variables could explain a significant proportion of the variance in the group living performance dimension, but not the job competence performance dimension. The findings are not surprising since astronauts are highly screened on the basis of past attainment, but are not as highly screened on aspects relating to teamwork and interpersonal concerns.

Language: en