Not all methods of dealing with stress are equally beneficial. It has been shown that blaming or scapegoating is a common method of dissipating stress after a crisis has occurred. Yet, blaming in the space environment could be costly. Conversion reactions such as shared illnesses are other undesirable methods of relieving tension following a crisis. To aid the selection process, one might explore the relationship between conversion reactions and personal styles such as general rigidity or an inflexible approach to work obligations.
Research involving realistic threat situations often has ethical implications.
Over the years, attitudes about this type of research have shifted markedly toward emphasizing the rights of test subjects. Although few would argue with this development, it is doubtful that future research involving fear responses will reach the levels of realistic simulation that has occurred in the past. Future studies of fear reactions will be restricted either to manipulations of low levels of fear, or to piggyback observations of events in which fear is a naturally occurring byproduct. In order to contribute to the research needs in this area, we should make ourselves aware of those situations in which information about fear responses can be gained without subjecting the individuals involved to additional stressors. One of the broad challenges of the future is to begin to understand which factors will foster psychological health in the space environment.