Choosing the Right Stuff: The Psychological Selection of Astronauts and Cosmonauts (Human Evolution, Behavior, and Intelligence) [Hardcover]

Patricia A. Santy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 30, 1994 | ISBN-10: 0275942368 | ISBN-13: 978-0275942366

For the first time the history of the psychological and psychiatric evaluation of astronaut and cosmonaut candidates is detailed. The general public and many professionals assume that psychological issues have been and will be extremely important factors in successful space exploration. This book, however, documents how NASA underutilized, downplayed, then ultimately ignored psychiatric and psychological characteristics in selecting astronauts, until very recently.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...a fascinating and informative look at the psychological and historical development of the US space program, and provides the best case history of human factors research this reviewer has ever read. The work illuminates the intricate details that are important to such large-scale human factors projects, and readers will feel as if they were actually a part of that history. Readers may also find the information on the Soviet space program and future space projects particularly interesting. Recommended." -- Choice

Book Description

The first detailed examination of the role of psychology and the behavioral sciences in space exploration.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 368 pages
• Publisher: Praeger (January 30, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0275942368
• ISBN-13: 978-0275942366
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,188,828 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A review of the Author more than the Book, November 12, 2010

By 

S. Wilson (Maine, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Choosing the Right Stuff: The Psychological Selection of Astronauts and Cosmonauts (Human Evolution, Behavior, and Intelligence) (Hardcover)

I studied under Dr. Santy at the University of Texas Medical Branch around the time the book came out. She is an excellent instructior who could make dry facts come to life. She did not require us to buy her book, for which I am eternally grateful being a poor student at that time. She did review much of the information with us in her lectures. Having that view of the subject and knowing her style, I am sure it is an excellent reference for anyone involved with that field.

Steven Wilson MD UTMB Class of 1977