256 Alaskan Science Conference 



receive undue emphasis. Only about fourteen percent of the 

 service personnel buy Alaskan small game and fishing licenses, 

 and only five percent qualify and purchase large game permits. 

 The primary reason more people did not engage in these out- 

 door activities was the lack of suitable transportation to and 

 from the areas where they may be enjoyed (2). 



In relation to the social unbalance mentioned in the fore- 

 going, a word should be added about those who adjust to this 

 total environment most poorly. A study was made of one 

 hundred men who exhibited a pattern of frustration and mal- 

 adjustment to the demands of Air Force duty in Alaska (5). 

 The purpose of this investigation was to determine the rela- 

 tionship between "low" morale and personality structures. 

 Without question, the poorest risk in terms of productive 

 efficiency in the environment described was that individual 

 commonly known as the "psychopathic deviate," the person 

 who demonstrates a lack of deep emotional responses, the in- 

 ability to profit by experience, and a disregard for the accepted 

 social mores. These persons incessantly rebel against the 

 limitations imposed upon them and express this rebellion in a 

 variety of anti-social media. 



Another personality type which appeared to find the environ- 

 ment described especially unfriendly was the hypomanic, that 

 individual exhibiting chronic, mild, manic excitement. These 

 persons are commonly characterized by marked over-produc- 

 tivity without direction or control. Their interests rapidly fluc- 

 tuate from one endeavor to another. Many times they be- 

 come habitual drifters. These persons showed marked inability 

 to cope with some of the common elements of the Alaskan 

 social milieu. 



Without further elaboration concerning those who find rea- 

 sonable adjustment difficult, it should be stated that this investi- 

 gation confirmed the basic premise that in any challenging 

 environment the best risk is the individual who is mentally 

 well poised and well integrated. The selection of borderline 

 individuals for assignment to areas where the known problems 



