DYNAMICS OF TYPES OF MOTIVATION FOR PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES IN UKRAINIAN ANTARCTIC EXPEDITIONS AMONG WINTERERS OF DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS

Abstract

We presented the results of empirical studies of the motivations types for winterers of Ukrainian Antarctic expeditions (UAE). A theoretical analysis of motivations for extreme activities in polar expeditions was carried out. Based on the theoretical analysis of modern approaches to age differentiation we divided the winterers into three age groups: younger (22–34), middle-aged (35–45) and older (46–62 years old). According to the Reiss Motivation Profile® (RMP®) method 16 universal basic motivations of winterers for professional activity in extreme Antarctic conditions are determined for each of age group. The research was conducted two times: the first at the beginning of the expedition and the second after six months of stay on the Antarctic base “Akademik Vernadsky”. All of motivations were summarized and reduced to three types of reason for professional activity: monetary, social and spiritual. At the beginning of the expedition the spiritual type prevailed then the social type and monetary type took the last place for all age groups. The repeated study revealed an increase for all types of motivation relative to the first study. Thus, the life and professional activity in extreme conditions strengthens one's own professional hardiness and faith in the people around. It was revealed that the main type of motivation for the middle age group was monetary. At the same time the high levels of spiritual and social types of motivation do not reduce the role of monetary motives. The last have been remains a catalyst which capable of increasing the efficiency of professional activity. The obtained results can be applied not only for planning expeditionary activities in long-term Antarctic expeditions, but in the military and sports psychology.