Personal value diversity in confinement and isolation: Pilot study results from the 180-day CELSS integration experiment

As a major life-challenging event, being confined in an isolated environment with a small group for an extended period may make individuals re-evaluate their personal values. The present study aimed to understand the changes in personal values among Chinese crew members (n = 4) participating in a 180-day isolation and confinement experiment. The whole experiment was divided into three phases: the first and third phases followed Earth's 24-h cycle, and the second phase followed Mars' 24-h and 40-min cycle. The Portrait Values Questionnaire (PVQ) was administered once per month. Anecdotal reports provided supplementary information to further understand the value changes. The results showed a linear decrease over time in the importance attributed to power. The mean scores on benevolence during the third phase of the experiment were significantly higher than those of the first phase, while the mean scores on universalism were significantly lower in the third phase. Taken together, the findings suggest that group members may adjust personal values to accommodate living in a small group in an isolated and confinement environment over an extended period.