Since pre-dive baseline data on the correlations between work, leisure, and 

 sleep are not available for the aquanaut sample, it is impossible to state 

 whether the correlations among these variables in the habitat are a result of 

 differential response to the isolated environment or are instead an extension 

 of everyday life habitats. However, given the large number of significant 

 differences on predictive variables found between the aquanauts scoring high 

 and those scoring low on the work criterion, it is reasonable to hypothesize 

 that the relationships found in TEKTITE are indeed related to pre-mission life 

 patterns. If this proposition is correct, then knowledge of applicants' cus- 

 tomary life patterns would provide a battery of extremely effective predictors 

 which could be used in selection of candidates for sensitive and demanding 

 missions. It should be noted that self -report does not provide a generally 

 reliable data base for evaluation of individual characteristics (see Radloff 

 and Helmreich, 1968, for a discussion of the relative merits of data sources) . 

 Nevertheless, the relationships discussed above are so strong that a recom- 

 mendation to evaluate normal life patterns as potential predictors of perform- 

 ance is in order. Available data are generally weak, yet, as has been noted, 

 past behavior remains the best predictor of future behavior. The major problem 

 is to obtain objective, reliable data on individuals using non-reactive measures. 

 This presents a major challenge for later research. 



Gregariousness 



Patterns of social interaction, their changes over time and correlations with 

 activity variables form one of the most interesting components of the research. 

 Data on communication and social behavior were collected on the Aquanaut Status 

 Record, the Meal Record, the Communication Record, and video tape. Because of 

 the complexity and volume of these data, detailed analyses have been deferred; 

 however, a preliminary examination of several of the variables measured indi- 

 cates the power and importance of this area. 



Correlations between the overall gregariousness of each aquanaut (time spent 

 with other aquanauts in conversation) and total marine science and between time 

 spent communicating with the topside command van and total marine science were 

 computed for scientist-aquanauts. The correlation between gregariousness and 

 total marine science was .59 (£<,. 01), showing clearly that interaction with 

 peers is positively associated with productivity. This finding strongly 

 replicates the results on gregariousness among aquanauts found in SEALAB II. 

 Communicating with topside was also positively related to time spent on marine 

 science (r_ = .35, £^.05). Those who spent most time communicating with top- 

 side personnel also spent most time performing marine science work. These 

 findings appear to contradict results noted in SEALAB II where communication 

 with topside was associated with poor performance. This apparent contradiction 

 points out the need for precise specification of variables and for detailed 

 interpretations of obtained results. In SEALAB II, only social communications, 

 social and operational, initiated by the surface or by aquanauts, were moni- 

 tored and noted (see Table 2 for a description of the information recorded). 

 Although complete data on the nature of each conversation are coded, in this 

 preliminary computation only total time spent in communication was used to pro- 

 vide an overall look at the effects of communication. It is probable that sub- 

 sequent analyses will reveal that aquanaut-initiated, social communication with 

 the surface is associated with poor performance while operational communication 

 is a positive correlate of work. 



VIII-39 



