NASA Human Research Program Investigators' Workshop (2012)
4108.pdf
AN EVOLUTIONARY PSYCHOLOGY APPROACH FOR UNDERSTANDING BEHAVIORAL ISSUES
IN LONG DURATION DEEP SPACE MISSIONS
A .P. Salam1,2, M. Orr3
1
Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, North West London NHS trust
(alexsalam@doctors.org.uk), 2 formerly IPEV/ESA, Concordia Station, Dome C, High Antarctic Plateau, 3
Auckland University, New Zealand
OBJECTIVES: To utilise a human evolutionary psychology perspective to develop a framework of Long Duration Mission (LDM) stressors. BACKGROUND: A human can be perceived as a complex biopsychosocial system that, in evolutionary terms, has continued to adapt and to optimise its performance, advantage and survivability within the context of Earth’s ecosystem. Separating from the earth’s ecosystem can be predicted to lead to a number of bio-­‐psycho-­‐
social stressors on the human system not optimised to operate outside that environment.
METHODS: The framework was developed via a literature review and search of grey literature. RESULTS: There are significant on-­‐going developments in the formal space science literature identifying behavioral risks and potential countermeasures for long duration missions. However a previous framework placing these within an evolutionary perspective does not exist. The matrix below presents a simple framework for understanding their consequences from an evolutionary perspective.
STRESSOR1,7 Social
isolation
Sensory
monotony
Confinement
Altered
photoperiod
Artificial
lighting
EVOLUTIONARY SIGNIFICANCE Humans have evolved strong genetic drives to be part of
social groups as these represent opportunities for safety,
cooperation and mating. Social interaction leads to opiod
and endorphin release in the central nervous system, and
social exclusion shares common physiological mechanisms
with physical pain, including low levels of endogenous
opiods 2,3,4.
The senses (visual, auditory, olfactory, gustatory, tactile)
have evolved to aid humans to avoid predators, to hunt, to
mate and to problem solve. Sensory stimulation leads to the
activation of reward centers in the brain and opiod and
endorphin release5.
The ability and desire to explore the surrounding
environment is a basic human adaptive tool (foraging and
migration capabilities).
Mammalian circadian systems evolved within a 24-hour
planetary cycle. Circadian rhythms allow organisms to
anticipate and prepare for precise and regular
environmental changes and are important in regulating and
coordinating internal metabolic processes. Dedicated
460nm non-image forming retinal photoreceptors exist that
entrain the circadian rhythm, and modulate mood and
cognition6.
BEHAVIORAL CONSEQUENCES1,7 COUNTERMEASURES7 Withdrawal
Social media
Psychological
closing
Short messaging
services
Apathy
Video messaging
Augmented reality
Cognitive
impairment
Irritability/anxiety
Private quarters
↑ Fear response
Flavor/odor enhancers
Virtual windows
↑ Suspicion
Viewing portals
Low mood
Meaningful work
Blue enhanced light
Frustration
Circadian shift
Circadian routines
Sleep disturbance
DISCUSSION: We can make a putative assumption that the cognitive neuroscience that underlies performance and
error is causally correlated to an evolutionary adaptation to the earth’s bio-psycho-social ecosystem. The potential
changes in that ecosystem presented by LDMs may lead to both predictable and, as yet unpredictable, deteriorations
in performance. We need to make the space mission bio-psycho-social ecosystem as close to that of earth as
possible, while at the same time recognising our limitations in doing so. The ISS sits atop our current hierarchy of
analogues for future developments in LDM, but with the recognition of its limitations as an analogue for extraorbital flight where increasing levels of autonomy and capacity to deal with isolation and emergent adversity will be
required. The evolutionary perspective offered by this framework, accordingly seeks to enhance our research and
development planning with a view to optimising human performance and adaptation to Long Duration Missions.
REFERENCES: [1] Kanas N and Manzey D (2008). Space Psychology and Psychiatry. [2] Macdonald G and
Leary M.R (2005). Psychol Bull 131(2):202-23. [3] Eisenberger N.I, Lieberman M.D, Williams K.D (2003). Science
302(5643):290-2. [4] Nelson E.E and Panksepp J (1998). Neurosci Biobehav Rev 22(3):437-52. [5] Biederman I and
Vessel A (2006). American Scientist, volume 94. [6] Brainard G.C and Hanifin J.P (2005). J Biol Rhythms
20(4):314-25. [7] Salam A.P. Exploration class missions on Earth: Stress Challenges and Immunity in Space, A
Chouker ed (in print).