Department of Personality Psychology
Research grants
Current
prof. Piotr Oleś
Grant of Fundation of Polish Science
Wacław Bąk, PhD
Grant of Ministry of Science and Higher Education No. 2635 B H03 2008 35
Three dimensions of self-regulation - verification of the model
Wiesław Talik, MA
Grant of Ministry of Science and Higher Education No. 1 H01 061 30 (March 2006 - March 2009):
Structure of self and psychological adjustment among adolescents
The structure of self refers to how the contents of the self-concept are organized. Research of the relation between the contents of the self and psychological adjustment has a long history in psychology, while the relation between self-structure and adjustment is a more recent focus on investigation and very rare among adolescents. Structure of self is defined by self-certainty, self-concept stability, self-concept clarity, self-concept compartmentalization, self-concept differential importance, self-complexity, self-concept differentiation. Psychological adjustment is defined by self- esteem, positive and negative affect, well-being, anxiety, anger, depression, curiosity. Individual research is conducted using a sample of 140 adolescents. The main problem of this research is formulated in the following question: what is a structure of self-system in adolescence and what kind of connection is between this structure and psychological adjustment?
Anna Batory, MA
Grant of Ministry of Science and Higher Education No. NN106 064335 (September 2008 - October 2010):
Stability and changeability of personal identity: exploration with regard to the motives and internal dialogical activity
Project is based on the cognitive self theories and dialogical self theory. It emphasizes constructivist nature of identity formation, with special regard to the role of internal dialogue in this process (Hermans, 1996; 2001; 2003; van Halen, Janssen, 2004). Identity is a dynamic, heterogenic entity, consisted of multiple elements (Vignoles, Regalia, Manzi, Golledge, Scabini, 2006; I positions (Hermans, 1996), or subpersonalities (Rowan, 2008) etc.), which are organized in a structure. We differentiate three dimensions of that subjective structure (Vignoles et.a al, 2006): a) cognitive - perceived centrality of each identity element; b) affective - positive affect connected with that element; and c) behavioral - the extent to which the element is showed in everyday life. Identity construction is guided by 6 basic motives (Vignoles et al., 2006, 2002, 2000; Breakwell, 1986): 1. continuity; 2. distinctiveness, 3. meaning, 4. self-esteem; 5. efficacy; 6. belonging. The better identity element satisfies the motives, the higher position it should have in the identity structure (in its three dimensions). As far as the level of motives' satisfaction varies, identity structure changes. However motivational basis of identity formation isn't the only factor of change. According to multivoiced self theory we have to consider dialog (internal dialogical activity) as a basic property of self and identity, responsible for its dynamics (Hermans, 2003; Oles, 2006, 2008). Intriguing problem is: does internal dialogical identity preserve existing structure or rather stimulate its changes?
The project is focused on interesting problems of identity dynamics. The aim of the research is to resolve the problem of relation between changes in the subjective identity structure and: a) identity motives' satisfaction, b) internal dialogical activity. Second research problem concerns the role of basic motives in reaction to identity threat (considered in imaginal situation).
Krzysztof Kwapis, MA
Grant of Ministry of Science and Higher Education No. NN106 330834 (March 2008 - September 2009)
Temperamental determinants of depletion of self-control resources in the emotion suppress, impulse control situation and in the case of breaking habits
The aim of the researches is to answer the question of what kind of intensity in energy features of temperament favours an increased depletion of self-control resources and what kind of the intensity in these features favours retaining self-control resources in different situation. The research investigates the relation between temperament features, such as: emotional reactivity, sensory sensitivity, endurance, activity and depletion of self-control resources. Depletion of resources of self-control is indicated by the time devoted to performing a task requiring self-control and by blood glucose level.
Realized
Małgorzata Puchalska - Wasyl, PhD
Grant of State Committee for Scientific Research No. 2 H01F 010 22
Psychological analysis of inner dialogues. The study based on the theory by H. Hermans
The main problem of the work was formulated in the following question: What types of internal dialogical activity do exist and what do their psychological functions depend on? It was found that:
• Within a broad phenomenon of internal dialogical activity one could distinguish three subgroups of processes: (1) change of perspective, (2) monologue and (3) dialogue.
• Seven meta-functions of internal dialogical activity were differentiated, namely: Support, Substitution, Exploration, Bond, Self-improvement, Insight and Self-guidance.
• On the basis of emotional climate four types of imaginary interlocutors were distinguished: Faithful Friend, Proud Rival, Helpless Child and Ambivalent Parent. They differed in the fulfilled meta-functions.
• Each imaginary interlocutor - regardless of its importance - was always more similar to the ideal self than to the real self of the individual. However the most important figure was significantly stronger related to the ideal self than the least important one.
• People having inner dialogues scored significantly lower in Assertiveness and higher in Self-Consciousness, Fantasy, Aesthetics, Feelings and Openness than people having monologues.
• There was the connection between particular types of inner dialogues and respondent's personality traits.
Małgorzata Sobol - Kwapińska, PhD
Grant of State Committee for Scientific Research No. 5 H01F 018 20
Elżbieta Chmilenicka - Kuter, PhD
Grant of State Committee for Scientific Research No. H01F 037 25
The dynamics of meaning system in result of confrontation with imaginal figure. Research on Role-Playing Games participants
The project concerns the problem of the change in meaning systems of RPG (Role-Playing Games) players under the influence of their game characters. The outcomes of research on 30 RPG participants show that game character, that is a kind of imaginal figure, often represents a new and inspiring perspective on player's past, present or just anticipated future life events. The attractiveness of RPG lays in its potential to experience the self-worth and the feeling of competence (the fulfillment of latent self-enhancement motive). The applicational value of research is an outline of workshop addressed to RPG players. Its main aim is the growth of players' consciousness of the chances and risks connected with role-playing activity.
Tomasz Jankowski, PhD
Grant of State Committee for Scientific Research No. 1 H01F 072 27
