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This version was published on January 1, 2008
Environment and Behavior, Vol. 40, No. 1, 3-23 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/0013916506296201

Group Problem Solving and Anxiety During a Simulated Mountaineering Ascent

Jerome Tougne

University of Reims, France

Benjamin Paty

University of Reims, France

Dorothée Meynard

University of Reims, France

Jean-Michel Martin

University of Reims, France

Thierry Letellier

University of Reims, France

Elisabeth Rosnet

University of Reims, France

Eight mountaineers were placed in a hypobaric chamber to simulate oxygen depletion accompanying a mountain ascent. The aim was to examine the evolution of individual and group efficiency in problem solving and anxiety according to simulated altitude. Relationships within the group, state and trait anxiety, and individual and collective performance in problem solving were repeatedly assessed at simulated altitudes of 5000m, 6000m, 7000m, and 8000m. The decrease of individual performance in problem solving, shown to be simultaneous to the increase of state anxiety, had little effect on collective performance in problem solving. These results suggest (a) that the collective success could be due to the emergence of a positive common goal and a positive appraisal of the situation and (b) that the state anxiety could act as a mediator between the variation in altitude and its effects on individual performance. The relevance of these results to real mountaineering expeditions is discussed.

Key Words: anxiety • group problem solving • hypoxia


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