Conflict-Handling Mode Scores of Three Crews Before and After a 264-Day Spaceflight Simulation

Abstract

A crew predisposition to use Accommodating most and Collaborating least may be practical in experimental settings, but is less likely to be useful in resolving conflicts within or between crews on actual flights. Given that interpersonal conflicts exist in any environment, crews in future space missions might benefit from training in conflict management skills.

Characteristics Impacting Teamwork and Performance for Space Operations

“…Additionally, competing was positively correlated with unauthorized repairs (r = .47, p < .05). This finding is consistent with past research, as people high in competing pursue their own concerns at the expense of others (Kass et al, 2010). The regression model explained 78.6% of the variance (F = 9.57, p = .001), with significant coefficients for accommodating (t = -5.359, p < .001), collaborating (t = -2.159, p = .05), and compromising (t = -2.903, p = .012).…”

“…Over-utilizing accommodation can lead to the suppression of ideas and concerns voiced by others, especially when it comes at the cost of collaboration. The combination of high accommodation and low collaboration has been shown to lead to a negative perception of individual differences in the team in space simulations (Kass et al, 2010).…”

“…Different CHMs are appropriate depending upon the situation. Kass et al (2010) sought to determine what conflict mode individuals on a spaceflight simulation employed. They also tracked changes in CHM as crewmembers became more familiar with one another throughout the study.…”

“…Although Kass et al (2010) found that CHM remains relatively constant, Stachowski, Kaplan and Walter (2009) report that modes do change during a crisis. A crisis situation almost always is unpredictable and ambiguous, and requires flexibility.…”

“…Because the collective cognitive styles, behaviors and attitudes of groups will result in different levels of teamwork and consequently team performance in space operations, examining how they affect people in settings with similar characteristics is necessary. Some of the factors that may affect teamwork and performance and were examined in this work include conflict handling mode (CHM), leadership style (LS), and perceived group self-efficacy (Bandura, 2000;Stachowski, Kaplan, & Walter, 2009;Kass, Kass, Binder, & Kraft, 2010;Hersey & Blanchard, 1974).…”