How Outer Space Affects Our Psychological Thinking
JULIJA ALEKSAITYTĖ
INTRODUCTORY
PART
Psychological
impact appears to be a very important part of the outer space topic which
appears much closer to us than we can sometimes assume. My group has chosen the
engineering topic about space and my subtopic is "How outer space affects
our psychological thinking". My main subject was space travel – what
technologies are being made to improve the quality of mental health during
space flight and how astronauts, who spend months and years in a monotonous
environment, deal with extreme activity,
danger, emergencies, unconscious conflicts, cultural/gender factors and leadership.
KEY TERMS
STRESSOR is anything (physical or psychological) that produces
stress (negative or positive) is considered a stressor. For example, getting a
promotion is a positive event, but may also produce a great deal of stress with
all the new responsibilities, work load, etc.
MONOTONY - wearisome uniformity or lack of
variety, as in occupation or scenery.
CULTURAL PSYCHOLOGY (*Cultural
factors in the essay) is the study of how psychological and behavioural
tendencies are rooted in and embodied in culture. The main tenet of cultural
psychology is that mind and culture are inseparable and mutually constitutive,
meaning that people are shaped by their culture and their culture is also
shaped by them.
GENDER (*Gender
factors in the essay) is generally conceived as a set of characteristics or
traits that are associated with a certain biological sex (male or female). In
non-western countries, gender is not always conceived as binary, or strictly
linked to biological sex. The characteristics that generally define gender are
referred to as masculine or feminine.
UNCONSCIOUS, also called Subconscious, the complex of mental
activities within an individual that proceed without his awareness
SOCIAL SIMULATION is a research field that applies computational
methods to study issues in the social sciences. The issues explored include
problems in computational law, psychology, organizational behaviour, sociology,
political science, economics, anthropology, geography, engineering, archaeology
and linguistics
SUMMARY
It is not a surprising fact that living in space
becomes a more realistic idea throughout the years and this idea is frequently
brought up as a close possibility for the upcoming generations. An essential part of living or traveling in
space is our health because the same factor gets us through the day in our
planet as well. Unsurprisingly, countless number of studies was made in order
to realise the psychological changes human species encounter in space and our
goal is to get a closer look into it.
Breaking
out from the atmosphere affects people differently. The obvious similarity that
connects astronauts is the unavoidable complications such as losing the sense
of hope, missing relatives, seeking more contact with other people, isolation
from Earth, monotony (references from the book „From Earth’s Orbit to the Outer
Planets and Beyond: Psychological Issues in Space“, 2013). Although
professionals are being taught about the psychological stressors that might be
faced during the space travel (reference from the 3rd given article),
the problem cannot appear more appealing after hearing all about it. Various
articles from NASA studies describe how social experience in space might
contribute to one’s work (reference from a book called “Psychological considerations
in future space missions”, 1980). Sometimes cultural and gender factors or even
work related conflicts might come in a way. Equally important are periods of
monotony alternating with extreme activity, danger, emergencies, and unconscious
conflicts (reference from the NASA article, 1980). Astronauts often suffer from
isolation and having someone to talk to during a flight to a certain space
object might come in handy. Sadly, not every crew is perfect and there appear
various situations when professionals return with depression or other mental
problems (1st given reference, from the primarily mentioned book; Chapter:
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH). Regarding the fact that Earth is not only lightyears away
from the space craft but also takes hours, days or even months to contact using
the most developed technical devices, it becomes quite predictable.
Nonetheless, psychological effect is not always
negative. Even though astronauts suffer from multiple dysfunctions, there
appears to be a positive impact of space as well. For example, the ones who
frequently go on space trips form an unconditional love and respect for planet
Earth (First mentioned book; Chapter: HUMAN INTERACTIONS ON-ORBIT). The fact
they are imprisoned in space does not make them go mad, instead it strengthens
their inner connection with everything that is on this firm surface we walk on
daily. Also, scientists are working on a certain type of social simulators that
help to decide whether an individual is capable of space travel and the
psychological difficulties that come with it (1st mentioned book; Chapter:
MANAGING NEGATIVE INTERACTIONS IN SPACE CREWS: THE ROLE OF SIMULATOR RESEARCH).
This proves the need of human species to last in space for as long as it is
needed in order to explore the future possibilities and of course, inhabit the
planets. The mentioned simulators “explore both applied and theoretical
questions with a diverse group of civilian passengers” and this rather unusual
method proves beneficial for our society to focus on educating youth about
space, universe and everything that is beyond. Clearly, psychological
difficulties are getting sorted out (last given article about future plans,
1996) before humans start a mass emigration from Earth.
Technological progress helps scientists and astronauts
work for their goal which is undeniably getting closer. Psychological effect
and problems caused by it still take an important place in space travel but
knowing the fact there is a silver lining even to this aspect, allows us to
welcome optimistic thoughts to our soon-to-be space immigrant minds.
CREDITS AND REFERENCES:
A BOOK CONCERNING
THE TOPIC OF PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT DURING SPACE TRAVEL. Focusing on psychological stressors such as monotony,
isolation from Earth and from other teammates. „From Earth’s Orbit to the
Outer Planets and Beyond: Psychological Issues in Space“
Chapter: BEHAVIORAL
HEALTH „Behavioural health is important because it reduces risk, helps optimize
performance, and contributes to the welfare
(well-being) of astronauts, their co-workers,
and their families.”
Chapter: HUMAN
INTERACTIONS ON-ORBIT. „we found that space is a positive experience for
astronauts and cosmonauts, especially with respect to gaining an appreciation
for the Earth and its beauty. These studies suggest a number of countermeasures (an action taken to
counteract a danger or threat) that can be employed during future space mission
in terms of crew selection, pre-launch training, mission monitoring and
support, and post-return adaptation.“
Chapter: MANAGING
NEGATIVE INTERACTIONS IN SPACE CREWS: THE ROLE OF SIMULATOR RESEARCH. „a
spaceflight simulator was used to explore both applied and theoretical
questions with a diverse group of civilian passengers in a simulated 45-h
orbital spaceflight, including the value of pre-flight instruction in effective
interpersonal behaviour and conflict resolution
(decision).“
Article about a
significant difference between terms like stress and stressors. In
which it is discussed about the main psychological and interpersonal factors
such as confinement (imprisonment) ,
separation from family, periods of monotony alternating with extreme activity,
danger, emergencies, unconscious conflicts, cultural/gender factors, leadership
and so on.
An abstract
introduction to a book called “Psychological considerations in future space
missions”.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0094576595001557
