Psychology of Space Exploration: Contemporary Research in Historical Perspective (ePub eBook)

NASA History Series. Edited by Douglas A. Vakoch. Through essays on topics including survival in extreme environments and the multicultural dimensions of exploration, readers will gain an understanding of the psychological challenges that the space program has faced since its earliest days. An engaging read for those interested in space, history, and psychology alike, this is a highly relevant read as we stand poised on the edge of a new era of spaceflight. Each essay also explicitly addresses the history of the psychology of space exploration.

Table of Contents:

Foreword vii

Acknowledgments ix

Chapter 1. Introduction: Psychology and the U.S. Space Program 1

Albert A. Harrison, Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis

Edna R. Fiedler, National Space Biomedical Research Institute, Baylor College

of Medicine

Section I: Surviving and Thriving in Extreme Environments

Chapter 2. Behavioral Health 17

Albert A. Harrison, Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis

Edna R. Fiedler, National Space Biomedical Research Institute, Baylor College

of Medicine

Chapter 3. From Earth Analogs to Space: Getting There from Here 47

Sheryl L. Bishop, Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health

and School of Nursing, University of Texas Medical Branch

Chapter 4. Patterns in Crew-Initiated Photography of Earth from the

 ISS—Is Earth Observation a Salutogenic Experience? 79

Julie A. Robinson, Office of the ISS Program Scientist, National Aeronautics

and Space Administration (NASA) Johnson Space Center (JSC)

Kelley J. Slack, Behavioral Health and Performance Research, Wyle Laboratories

Valerie A. Olson, Department of Anthropology, Rice University

Michael H. Trenchard, Image Science and Analysis Laboratory, Engineering and

Science Contract Group (ESCG), NASA JSC

Kimberly J. Willis, Image Science and Analysis Laboratory, ESCG, NASA JSC

Pamela J. Baskin, Behavioral Health and Performance Research, Wyle Laboratories

Jennifer E. Boyd, Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San

Francisco; and San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Psychology of Space Exploration

Section II: Managing Interpersonal Conflict in Space

Chapter 5. Managing Negative Interactions in Space Crews: The Role of

 Simulator Research 103

Harvey Wichman, Aerospace Psychology Laboratory, Claremont McKenna

College and Claremont Graduate University

Chapter 6. Gender Composition and Crew Cohesion During Long-Duration

 Space Missions 125

Jason P. Kring, Department of Human Factors and Systems, Embry-Riddle

Aeronautical University

Megan A. Kaminski, Program in Human Factors and Applied Cognition, George

Mason University

Section III: Multicultural Dimensions of Space Exploration

Chapter 7. Flying with Strangers: Postmission Reflections of

 Multinational Space Crews 143

Peter Suedfeld, Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia

Kasia E. Wilk, Youth Forensic Psychiatric Services Research and Evaluation

Department, Ministry of Children and Family Development

Lindi Cassel, Department of Occupational Therapy, Providence Health Care

Chapter 8. Spaceflight and Cross-Cultural Psychology 177

Juris G. Draguns, Department of Psychology, Pennsylvania State University

Albert A. Harrison, Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis

Afterword. From the Past to the Future 195

Gro Mjeldheim Sandal, Department of Psychosocial Science, University of Bergen

Gloria R. Leon, Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota

About the Authors 205

Acronyms and Abbreviations 219

The NASA History Series 221

Subject Index 235

Authors Cited 249

NASA personnel, psychologists, psychiatrists, governmental agencies and contractors working with NASA and its personnel, policymakers, military and civilian mental health professionals, researchers and members of the general public interested in studies on the affects of space travel and involvement in the space program on mental health will enjoy this book.