Formation and Transformation of Relational Networks During an Antarctic Winter‐Over

Abstract

In order to identify the effects of situational constraints on social behavior in a small isolated group, a systematic daily observation was conducted during a winter‐over mission in a French research station in the Antarctic. This observation corresponded to participants' seating arrangements during meals and was supplemented by analysis of the physician's diary. We hypothesized that social stability would be an indicator of adaptation in this context. Both analyses highlighted the importance of the social relationships, even if they were not described in the diary as positive. The results underline the need for a relational balance, linked to stable but not exclusive social relations. Some indicators emphasized the end of the isolation period as one critical moment (actually 1 month before the end), with an expression of homesickness and greater negativity in the diary's descriptions of social relationships.

Uses of Places and Setting Preferences in a French Antarctic Station

“…As in a previous study on the formation and transformation of relationalnetworks (Weiss & Gaud, 2004), data resulting from the observations andfrom the questionnaires were not directly comparable: The frequencies ofthe collections were not the same. However, they allowed for the gatheringof two coherent and complementary sets of data, which made it possible to,understand why and how uses of space and especially privacy management played a significant role for people who were living in an ICE.…”

“…Some researchers have pointed out the link betweenthe end of the mission and essentially thymic reactions but not social reactions (Décamps&Rosnet, 2005). However, in accordance with what hasbeen observed in the analysis of the formation and transformation of socialnetworks (Weiss & Gaud, 2004), we hypothesized that the end of the missionshould correspond with a change in behaviors linked to the occupation ofbehavioral settings, thus revealing a more significant need for privacy and areorganization of the individual-environment relationship (Wapner& Craig-Bray, 1992). Indeed, the approach of the end of the mission seems to beassociated with a falling off of courtesy in small, isolated crews:With the endof the cohabitation, people allow themselves to express opinions and feelingsthat can be sources of tension (Sandal, 2001) …”

“…The desired level of interactions was not the same forboth groups, and we know that well-being is associated with a balancebetween desired and achieved levels of social interaction (Evans, Rhee,Forbes, Mata-Allen, &Lepore, 2000). Thus, results from other research sharingthe social categorization in ICEs (Weiss & Gaud, 2004) could be to a certainextent explained by these different needs in terms of privacy and socialcontacts. Indeed, space management in these conditions of isolation and confinementcorresponds to a management of both privacy and social relationships.In the present study, it was linked to two different styles of placeoccupation related to the occupational and age subgroups, which had differentexpectations about these places.…”

“…These two groups seemed to have different expectations andneeds in terms of interpersonal relationships, privacy, and space occupation.We already knew that the tensions or conflicts that usually occur inpolar stations generally correspond to intergroup tensions, reflecting asocial categorization related to professional statutes, in particular, becauseof different values, goals, and activities shared by the subgroups (Stuster etal., 2000;Weiss & Gaud, 2004). But "the formation of subgroups is a naturalphenomenon and can contribute to individual adjustment, if not permittedto develop to the extreme" (Stuster et al, 2000, p. A25).…”

“…All of them were younger than the first subgroup participants (M=24.3, range = 20 to 27) and were staying in Antarctica for the first time.Thus, age and occupational status were two confounded factors. Weknow that these factors are often linked to the emergence of subgroups inthe French winter-over stations and also sometimes to intergroup tensionsor conflicts (Weiss & Gaud, 2004). Indeed, these subgroups usually havedifferent interests, leisure activities, and goals and develop different waysof experiencing their winter-over.…”