ANALYSIS OF ADJUSTMENT DIMENSIONS IN SMALL CONFINED GROUPS

• Main Authors: NELSON, PAUL D., Gunderson, E. K.
• Other Authors: NAVY MEDICAL NEUROPSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH UNIT SAN DIEGO CA
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1962
• Subjects: Psychology; Personnel Management and Labor Relations; *GROUP DYNAMICS; *NAVAL PERSONNEL; *MILITARY PSYCHOLOGY; POLAR REGIONS; PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTS; SOCIOMETRICS; SMALL GROUPS; DEEP FREEZE OPERATION; Antarctic; The Antarctic; Antarc*
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/AD0286491; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=AD0286491

Personal adjustment to an Antarctic environment is studied. Results suggest an important notion about adjustment in small confined living groups such as those in the Antarctic. Compatibility is at least as important as job performance in the eyes of both leaders and peers. This finding suggests that doing one's job well may be a necessary but not sufficient quality for good overall adjustment in this environment. While there may be differences depending upon the occupation to which one refers, it might be that there is greater tolerance of less adequate job performance for persons who are personally well-received by other group members than for persons not so well- received. Since ratings of job performance and social adjustment are positively correlated in the results, it is speculated that willingness to work is more critical than sheer proficiency of work. In any case, the fact that compatibility is so important poses a challenge for those who are charged with the responsibility of selecting and grouping personnel for small Antarctic stations. Consideration of individual personalities and group composition becomes an apparent need in the selection and assignment process.