NASA and PCM – A Shared Journey
The process of selecting an astronaut is no easy task. Those responsible for selecting astronauts choose from the best of the best, both physically and mentally. There are many factors to consider, such as teamwork, precision and thoroughness in work, efficiency, and so on. All of these must be taken into account when selecting astronauts, as they must be the mentally strongest and most technically capable individuals when faced with situations of intense stress and pressure.
How did NASA come to use the PCM?
In 1977, Dr. Terry McGuire, NASA’s chief psychiatrist and the person responsible for selecting candidates, invited Dr. Taibi Kahler to attend and participate in the interviews during the selection process. His task was to sit in a corner of the room and observe. Taibi used the Process Communication Model® to classify the candidates into one of six categories based on their dominant personality type. He was able to identify their fundamental personality traits, strengths, and weaknesses very easily and quickly. How? He simply observed their verbal expression—the way they spoke about themselves, their achievements, the things that are important to them, and so on. At the same time, however, he also paid attention to nonverbal cues, such as their sitting posture, facial expressions, gestures, and unconscious movements.
What findings did PCM yield during the interviews with the astronauts?
After the interviews, the two compared their notes on several candidates. Dr. McGuire then realized that, after just 10 minutes, Dr. Kahler’s method had revealed as much—and more—about a candidate as a standard psychological interview lasting several hours. Dr. McGuire was so fascinated by the results that he decided to invite Dr. Kahler to work for NASA and to apply and further refine his Process Communication Model® in the ongoing selection of astronauts.
What was the structure of the NASA team based on the PCM?
After many years of using the PCM, the data showed quite clearly that one personality type in particular was represented at a much higher rate among astronauts than in the general population: the “Perseverer” personality type. This type was significantly more likely to be found among astronauts than others.
For example, in the 1984, ’85, and ’87 selection cycles, about 71% of those selected were “Basic Perseverers” (i.e., this was their most pronounced personality type alongside the other five). This core personality type likely dominated among the astronauts in part because this PCM type is characterized by an inherent drive to be perfect, dedicated, and tenacious in pursuing goals.
Distribution of Personality Types in NASA Space Missions
Since people with a “Perseverer” foundation in their personality structure show little emotion and find it difficult to understand other people’s feelings, they tend to get along well with people who have a high “Logician” component. These individuals, for their part, are logical, rational, and organized—just as they themselves are. After all, both PCM types share a love of processing data.
This is significant because, at that time, the Logician personality type was the second most prevalent Basic personality type among astronauts. Statistics show that Basic Perseverers and Basic Logicians made up 93% of the astronauts at that time! It is interesting to note that people with the Doer as their primary personality type were rarely selected for astronaut positions: none of the 287 highly qualified candidates who applied for astronaut positions at that time had the Doer as their strongest personality type. Due to their spontaneity, impulsiveness, dynamism, and potential irresponsibility when they slip into their distress behavior, this was a personality type that tended to be rather dangerous in distress situations for performing the job of an astronaut.
At that time, the “Empath” personality type accounted for only 9% of the basic personality types, even among the highly qualified candidates who had been shortlisted. Among the astronauts who were ultimately selected, this figure was only 7%. This is interesting because, in the “normal” world outside of NASA, they account for 30% of the population. During this period, the “empath” personality type was the third most common basic personality type among astronauts.
It later became clear that, for effective long-term collaboration, relationships must be harmonious. Furthermore, people with a high “Empath” component (such as “Basic Empaths”) usually sense conflicts more quickly and can therefore intervene earlier than other Basic types. For this reason, in subsequent work with the PCM in the selection of astronauts, greater emphasis was placed on individuals with a high “Empath” component. As a personality type, they are significantly more people-oriented than other PCM types and can thus create a pleasant atmosphere, which has a decidedly positive effect on living together in a cramped space station far from home and, at times, under high work pressure.
Just like “Basis” creators, “Basis” rebels were also rare (3% of the applicants preselected as highly qualified) among astronauts because they tend to be very energetic and spontaneous. Compared to other personality types, they are significantly more prone to conflict (especially with people who have a high “Perseverer” component). They also tend to avoid responsibility when they are under distress.
Since the dreamer's personality type is characterized by creativity, imagination, and introversion, this personality type was not included among NASA's PCM basic types.
Perseverers and Logicians are the dominant basic personality types among astronauts. The Empath personality type ranked third, while the basic personality types Rebels, Dreamers, and Doers were represented to a limited extent—if at all—among the applicants and were also underrepresented in the final selection. It is very interesting that, although the Perseverer type accounts for about 10% of the general population, more than 70% of astronauts have this basic personality type. On the other hand, basic Dreamers also make up about 10% of the general population, yet they were practically nonexistent at NASA.
PCM and Its Impact on Teams
During the period of collaboration between Dr. Taibi Kahler and Dr. Terry McGuire from 1978 to 1996, the foundations of the individual PCM sub-concepts were developed and applied at the same time. In a letter from 2010, Dr. McGuire confirms to Dr. Kahler just how extensively PCM was used in spaceflight.
Hi Taibi,
I would like to confirm in writing something that you and I have discussed in the past. While I was working as NASA’s chief psychiatrist for manned spaceflight, I predicted on five occasions that a particular crew member would play a significant role.
The main cause of conflicts among the crew was usually someone who had been forced onto the spaceflight for political reasons. In four of the five cases, the conflict became apparent during the flight […] In each case, my predictions about their behavior were based on what I had learned from you and on the work on process communication that you had guided me through.
With respect and appreciation, Terence F. McGuire, M.D., Lead Psychiatrist, NASA
Today, we know just how much the quality of interpersonal relationships affects the quality of the work performed. Given the PCM’s ability to predict and resolve negative behaviors (distress), the following conclusion is quite obvious: the application of the Process Communication Model® enabled NASA to significantly improve collaboration among team members on space missions and, consequently, the quality of the research conducted there.
Put these insights into practice in your daily life and learn about PCM in a variety of application areas. Our certified PCM trainers and PCM coaches look forward to accompanying you on your journey of self-discovery.
Sources:
- Blog post from August 19, 2015, by the Atria Grouphttps://processcommodel.com/how-did-nasa-discover-pcm/, translated into German and revised by KCG.
- Article“ASTRONAUTS – Reflections on Current Selection Process Methods, Astronaut Personalities, and the Space Station”from the 1984/85/87 selection cycles by Dr. Terry McGuire, translated into German by KCG.
- Article “Forty Five Years and Counting…on You” by Dr. Taibi Kahler (circa 2014).
