Psychology of Space Exploration
More scientific observations of mixed-gender crews are available from research
in space analogs—extreme settings that possess similar environmental and social
features. In her review of team literature in extreme environments, S. L. Bishop
found support for using mixed-gender crews to improve long-duration performance,
concluding, “The presence of both men and women appears to normalize group
behavior in ways that promote individual and group functioning.”^16 This result
may stem from differences each gender possesses that benefit team performance
in specific situations. For example, groups composed of both men and women per-
form well on tasks requiring diverse perspectives and interpersonal skills, and cohe-
sion appears to increase due to women’s interpersonal style and ability to involve
all group members in the task.^17
Additional support for employing mixed-gender teams comes from Stuster’s
findings that although the inclusion of women at U.S. Antarctic stations in the
early 1980s resulted in some minor conflicts, in general, gender diversity had a
positive influence on morale and productivity.^18 E. Rosnet et al. found a compa-
rable beneficial effect of mixed-gender groups at a French polar station; however,
some women reported problems related to rude behavior from their male colleagues
and instances of sexual harassment.^19 Interpersonal relationships between men and
women and sexual issues may also impact mixed-gender crews during extended
isolation. Crewmembers of an experiment termed the Simulation of Flight of
International Crew on Space Station (SFINCSS) reported increased crew tension
after an incident in which a male Russian commander from one group attempted to
kiss a female Canadian crewmember from another group during a New Year’s Eve
celebration in the enclosed space station mock-up.^20
In summary, despite the potential for conflict and tension, evidence from space-
flight and related environments suggests that the inclusion of men and women
- Bishop, “Evaluating Teams in Extreme Environments”: C17.
- Ibid., p. C17.
- Stuster, Bold Endeavors, p. 178.
- E. Rosnet, S. Jurion, G. Cazes, and C. Bachelard, “Mixed-gender Groups: Coping
Strategies and Factors of Psychological Adaptation in a Polar Environment,” Aviation, Space,
and Environmental Medicine 75, no. 7, sect. II (2004): C10–C13. - Gro M. Sandal, “Culture and Tension During an International Space Station Simulation:
Results from SFINCSS ’99,” Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine 75, no. 7, sect. II
(2004): C44–C51.