Electronic Library of Scientific Literature


 
 
 

STUDIA PSYCHOLOGICA

 

Volume 42 / No. 1-2 / 2000

 

 

 


IS THE ANXIETY - INTELLIGENCE RELATIONSHIP RELEVANT?

Imrich RUISEL
Institute of Experimental Psychology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 813 64 Bratislava, Slovak Republic

Abstract: The conceptual bases of current research of intelligence and anxiety are presented. In researching intelligence, it is necessary to pay greater attention not only to mechanics and pragmatics but to reflexics of intelligence as well. Of all the research concepts of anxiety, attention is paid mainly to models of state and trait anxiety, to the interaction model and to the the test anxiety model. So far, mainly the negative effect of state anxiety on cognitive performance has been proven. Test anxiety usually lowers academic performance, mainly by increased self-observance which results in lack of self-confidence, fear of failure and evaluation, decreased concentration of attention and decreased resistance to stress. It seems necessary to pay more attention to alternating manipulation with dependent and independent variables, but mainly to the shift from predominantly forced psychometric intelligence to a more detailed study of intelligent behavior in real life conditions.

Key words: anxiety, intelligence, test anxiety, reflexics, anxiety as state and trait
pp. 3-13

 


ANXIETY AND LATERALITY: CAUSE AND EFFECT (?)

Damian KOVAC
Institute of Experimental Psychology Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 813 64 Bratislava, Slovak Republic

Abstract: Man is "par excellence" a pair system of organs and functions, and yet, lateral asymmetry and preference is still considered a marginal problem by sciences of man, including psychology. It does not, by far, concern only the phenomenon of left-handedness. Thanks to pair activity, qualitatively new psychological potentials have been created, such as, for example, spatial perception, language, abstract thinking, etc. However, for thousands of years mankind (particularly in the earth's northern hemisphere) was developing with a right preference, mainly in handedness and eyedness. This pressure disturbed the original harmony in the relationship between pair systems thus affecting the optimal functioning of a great portion of the population.
Our institute's research team, using its own self-report and performance methods (OLP, TLP), carried out dozens of research projects focused on neuroticism, anxiety, intelligence, etc. in subjects with various lateral preferences. This research was unequivocal in showing that subjects with non-optimal lateral preference (unpronounced preference, crossed preference, etc.) scored higher in neuroticism and anxiety. The discussion concentrates on the complexity of the relationships between the manifestations under study. After all, in our period of computerization there does not seem to be a possibility of any radical change in the right-preference environment of present day technical civilization.

Key words: laterality, anxiety, neuroticism, intelligence, right-preferred civilization
pp. 15-23

 


SELF-ESTEEM AS A DETERMINANT OF BEHAVIORAL STRATEGIES IN DEMANDING LIFE SITUATIONS

Jozef VYROST
Institute of Social Sciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Karpatska 5, 040 00 Kosice, Slovak Republic

Abstract: Relationships between self-esteem and behavioral strategies in demanding life situations (DLS) were the subject of analysis on a sample of 166 undergraduates. According to the data obtained young people with lower self-esteem in a DLS prefer help-seeking orientation more than the other group (higher self-esteem). In accordance with situational access, this main tendency, in more detailed analysis of SELF-scale data, showed a different picture, more dependent on the specific context.

Key words: behavioral strategies in demanding life situations, coping, self-concept
pp. 25-31

 


BURNOUT IN TEACHER'S PROFESSION: AGE, YEARS OF PRACTICE AND SOME DISORDERS

Jozef DANIEL, Ivan SARMANY SCHULLER
University of Constantine the Philosopher, Nitra, Slovak Republic
Institute of Experimental Psychology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 813 64 Bratislava, Slovak Republic

Abstract: In our research we studied burnout and select health problems in a sample of 445 basic (46 %), special (19 %) and high school (35 %) teachers. All schools were located in Slovakia. Our results did not confirm the expected high burnout in this professional group, however, we found significantly higher score in classic phobias in the group of older teachers and significantly higher score in exhaustion (in the sense of a lower score in the so-called personal accomplishment). The most significant differences are in the higher score in social anxiety, which is present among teachers who are just beginning to teach and those with years of teaching practice. The emotional exhaustion indicator (EE) correlates positively with classic phobias, social anxiety, stage fright, depersonalization, neuroticism and also with greater occurrence of health problems in the gastrointestinal and cardiovascular areas.

Key words: teacher's burnout, personality, marital status, years of teaching practice
pp. 33-41

 


ADJUSTMENT PROBLEM DIMENSIONS IN SLOVAK ADOLESCENTS

Zdena RUISELOVA, Alexandra PROKOPCAKOVA
Institute of Experimental Psychology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 813 64 Bratislava, Slovak Republic

Abstract: Maladjustment in adolescents is manifested in two main forms - extrinsic and intrinsic. Symptoms of maladjustment are grouped into several factors. The study focused on the structure and dimensions of adjustment problems in adolescents. The research sample consisted of 957 girls and 894 boys, aged approximately 15 years. We administered Magnusson and Dun‚r's self-report symptom questionnaire (Magnusson, Dun‚r, Zetterblom, 1975), consisting of 122 (girls) and 123 (boys) questions focused on the occurrence and intensity of various adjustment problems. Principal components factor analyses with varimax rotation were computed for girls and boys separately. We found that factors concerning antisocial behavior, relationships with parents and peers were similar in boys and girls. Regarding emotional problems, some symptoms of emotional problems and worries created similar factors in boys and girls, but, as expected, depressive tendencies and psychosomatic problems were more pronounced in girls. Similar structure of factors was found in the Slovak and the Swedish girls.

Key words: adjustment problems, adolescents, extrinsic problems, intrinsic problems
pp. 43-53

 


TRAIT ANXIETY AND PERCEPTUAL DISTORTION

Iva STUCHLIKOVA
Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education, University of South Bohemia, Jeronymova 10, 371 15 Ceske‚ Budejovice, Czech Republic

Abstract: This study investigates the role of trait anxiety in processing of pictorial material. Two perceptual tasks, setting of the Müller-Lyer illusion sheet and rating of a successive bistable figure, were repeatedly administered to 80 undergraduate students. These yielded indices of average magnitude of perceptual distortion and perceptual learning. Trait anxiety was related to perceptual learning. The results may be interpreted as the result of anxiety fostering more analytical processing.

Key words: trait anxiety, Müller-Lyer illusion, successive bistable figure, perceptual distortion
pp. 55-60

 


WELL-BEING AS A PSYCHOLOGICAL INDICATOR OF HEALTH IN OLD AGE: A RESEARCH AGENDA

Jozef DZUKA, Claudia DALBERT
Presov University, Department of Psychology, Ulica 17. novembra 1, Presov, Slovak Republic
Martin-Luther-Universitat, AB Padagogische Psychologie, Institut fur Padagogik, Halle, Germany

Abstract: Based on the analysis of relevant studies concerning well-being in old age, three innovations were proposed that seem to be beneficial for future research in this field: 1) In addition to two frequently studied personality factors of mental well-being in old-age (extraversion and neuroticism), it was proposed to take into account the value-related priorities, and the content of subjectively significant goals of old people. Special emphasis is laid on the necessity to check the postulated influence of belief in a just world (Dalbert, 1998). 2) In accordance with the findings of L.L. Carstensen (1995) and M.P. Lawton (1996) concerning the significant influence of an improved ability of old people upon their capacity to manage their emotions, which results in their improved experiencing of life, it was proposed to examine the coping strategies usedin old age, and the coping styles characteristic of old age. 3) The third innovation proposed is related to the fact that the cross-sectional research projects cannot identify all factors; they can only identify cohort correlates of well-being. Since the longitudinal research method is - for various reasons (economic point of view, length of research) - applicable to a limited extent only, it was proposed - in accordance with W. Fleson and P.B. Baltes (1998) - to use both actual and retrospective formats of the tools selected. Special attention is paid to diagnosing the well-being factor. The paper presents points of departure for designing the original diagnostic tool.

Key words: old age, well-being, innovation of research
pp. 61-70

 


RELIGION AND COPING: EMPIRICAL VERIFICATION OF THEIR INTERACTION

Michal STRIZENEC
Institute of Experimental Psychology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 813 64 Bratislava, Slovak Republic

Abstract: Research to date concerning the effects of religion on coping with stressful situations has brought new specific data. In terms of theory and research, this subject area has been developed most by K.I. Pargament, who delineated three styles of religious coping: Self-directing, Deferring and Collaborative. In a research project involving adolescents, we confirmed the reliability of the Slovak translation of the above author's scale and found a prevalence of the collaboration with God coping style. Similar results were found in other smaller samples of subjects. The Collaborative style is connected with intrinsic religious orientation.

Key words: religiosity, coping, scale reliability
pp. 71-74

 


NEGATIVE SELF-ESTEEM AND PREFERRED COPING STRATEGIES IN SLOVAK UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Jitka GURNAKOVA
Institute of Experimental Psychology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 813 64 Bratislava, Slovak Republic

Abstract: The choice of a specific coping strategy in situations of psychological stress is associated with the type of situation as well as with available personality and social coping resources.
In the research presented here we determined, using the NSE scale, the level of negative self-esteem based on which we created extreme groups for the entire sample and for men and women separately. To determine the preference of specific coping strategies we used the Multidimensional Coping Questionnaire (COPE). The sample consisted of 166 students in their third year at the university with various majors; 75 women and 91 men, 20 23 years of age.
Subjects scoring higher in negative self-esteem claimed to use maladaptive coping strategies more frequently (behavioral and mental disengagement, focusing on emotions and their expressions, denial). Subjects with a lower score in negative self-esteem preferred humor, positive reinterpretation and growth as coping strategies. Women achieved a higher level of negative self-esteem, they focused more on emotions and sought instrumental and emotional social support more frequently than men. Men concentrated more on the problem than emotions. Humor had a special effect on coping with stress in our sample. In women it correlated with lower level of negative self-esteem and the use of adaptive coping strategies and in men with the use of maladaptive strategies of denial and mental disengagement.

Key words: coping strategies, negative self-esteem, humor, social support, intersexual differences
pp. 75-86

 


EFFECT OF FUTURE ANXIETY AND LOCUS OF CONTROL ON POWER STRATEGIES USED BY MILITARY AND CIVILIAN SUPERVISORS

Zbigniew ZALESKI, Michal JANSON
Institute of Psychology, Catholic University of Lublin, 20-950 Lublin, Poland

Abstract: The authors tested two hypotheses (1) supervisors scoring high vs. low on Future Anxiety (FA) will tend to use more legitimate and harder power to influence their subordinates (2) the supervisors with external locus of control (LOC) will also use the harder power strategies. Two groups of supervisors took part in the research: the supervisors in civilian institutions e.g. banks, and higher rank officers on a military air force bases. The following measurement methods were used: Zaleski's (1996) Future Anxiety Scale, Raven Power Basis Questionnaire and Rotter Locus of Control Questionnaire. The results confirmed the assumption, with the exception of the military group in which there is no relationship between locus of control and use of particular power strategies. The results are discussed within the frame of coping with personal unknown future and in reference to the specificity of military training and functioning as an institution.

Key words: future anxiety, locus of control, social power, military/civilian supervisors
pp. 87-95

 


POSITIVE AFFECTIVITY, PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING, ACCIDENT- AND TRAFFIC-DEATHS, AND SUICIDE: AN INTERNATIONAL COMPARISON

Bruce KIRKCALDY, Adrian FURNHAM
International Centre for the Study of Occupational and Mental Health, Haydnstr. 61, 40593 Dusseldorf, Germany
Business Psychology Unit, Department of Psychology, University College London, 26 Bedford Way, London, England

Abstract: In a study involving 37 nations, four data bases were combined to include national difference measures of subjective well-being (data from Diener et al., 1995), the personality variables of extraversion and neuroticism (Barrett, Eysenck, 1984), positive and negative affect (MacIntosh, 1998), and Eurostat and UN statistics concerning incidence rates of accidents, deaths due to suicides and other self-inflicted injuries, and deaths incurred by car accidents. Negative affect was unrelated to any of the "outcome" variables. Subjective well-being on the other hand was significantly negatively correlated with incidence of accidents as well as deaths incurred through driving accidents. Positive affect, itself significantly positively correlated with subjective well-being, showed a significant negative correlation with "car-driving deaths". Moreover, trait neuroticism was associated with a high prevalence of accidents and car-deaths.

Key words: positive affect, psychological well-being, accident rates, traffic deaths, suicide, cross-cultural, social epidemiology
pp. 97-104

 


COGNITIVE FUNCTIONAL INEFFICIENCY IN ALCOHOLICS

Jasminka BOBIC, Lukrecija PAVICEVIC, Milica GOMZI
Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, 2 Ksaverska cesta, P.O. Box 291, 10001 Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract: Cognitive efficiency was assessed on a sample of 198 right-handed male alcoholics. Testing procedure: Numerical, Verbal-logic and Associative short-term memory tests from Wechsler Memory Scale; Bender Visual-Motor Gestalt Test; Block Design and Complex Reactionmeter Drenovac. Results: The alcoholics showed decreased results on all applied tests. Factor analysis revealed the first factor marked by high loadings on speed and accuracy of complex psychomotor reactions, and the second on verbal memory variables. Conclusion: The obtained results indicate that alcoholism induces diffuse cognitive functional inefficiency with more pronounced decrease in nonverbal functions.

Key words: alcoholics, cognitive inefficiency, deterioration, neuropsychological deficits, laterality
pp. 105-110

 


PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF DRUG ADDICTS IN THE PERIOD OF RESOCIALIZATION UNTIL REMISSION: PILOT STUDY

Viliam BIRO
Institute of Experimental Psychology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 813 64 Bratislava, Slovak Republic

Abstract: We are presenting the results of a pilot study with individuals treated for drug addiction. The number of patients is N = 37. These patients were at various stages of treatment at the time of the examination. There were 25 men (aged 18-20.9 yrs.) and 12 women (aged 17.6-21.2 yrs.). Some of the patients in the sample still manifested abstinence difficulties. Using the Q-analysis, we identified three groups of patients (factor saturations at the level of at least 1% probability). Psychophysiological examination, carried out individually, consisted of determining lateral specificity, the level of tremor, heart rate and response behavior in semantic differential in two versions - the self-assessment and drug versions. Considering that we identified numerous differential signs between the groups, we can consider the individual groups, created by factoring individuals, to be stages in the treatment process, which can be differentiated in terms of coming to terms with the drug problem.

Key words: drug addiction, semantic differential, vascular activity, lateral preference, neuropsychological structure
pp. 111-122

 


THE NATURE AND PREVALENCE OF NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL IMPAIRMENT IN PATIENTS WITH SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS

Judora J. SPANGENBERG, Andr‚ T. MOLLER, Frans J. HUGO, Anne M. HALLAND, David A. WHITELAW
Department of Psychology
Department of Psychiatry
Department of Internal Medicine
University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, 7602 Matieland, South Africa

Abstract: To examine the nature and prevalence of neuropsychological impairment in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the neuropsychological performance of 88 consecutive SLE patients was compared with that of 47 proportionally matched, healthy controls. Analysis of covariance, with estimated premorbid intellectual ability as a covariate, showed that SLE patients performed significantly more poorly than controls on verbal memory, visual memory, visuoperceptual organization, visuomotor coordination and integration, attention and concentration, cognitive flexibility and verbal fluency. No significant differences in neuropsychological performance were found between patients with present or previous neuropsychiatric manifestations of SLE (NPSLE), and patients without any history of NPSLE. This may suggest subclinical nervous system involvement in patients without a history of NPSLE. The prevalence of neuropsychological impairment in the total SLE group, determined by means of discriminant analysis to partition those patients who performed worse than 95% of the healthy controls, was 69.9%.

Key words: neuropsychological impairment, systemic lupus erythematosus
pp. 123-134

 


THE ROLE OF PET OWNERSHIP AS A POSSIBLE BUFFER VARIABLE IN TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCES

Lidija ARAMBASIC, Gordana KERESTES, Gordana KUTEROVAC-JAGODIC, Vlasta VIZEK-VIDOVIC
University of Zagreb, Faculty of Philosophy, Department of Psychology, 10000 Zagreb, Luciceva 3, Croatia

Abstract: The aim of the study was to examine whether three groups of children (without a pet, with a dog/cat and with other pets) differ in intensity of posttraumatic stress reactions (PTSR) and ways of coping with stress. Since boys and girls can differ in their reaction to trauma and coping strategies, as well as younger and older children, gender and age were also taken into account as independent variables. Participants in the study were primary school children (N = 612; 301 boys and 311 girls, mean age 13.5 years) from Slavonia, one of the Croatian regions heavily affected by the war. Results obtained for PTSR showed that girls with pets other than a dog/cat have the highest level of PTSR while boys without pets and girls with a dog/cat have the least PTSR. This finding may indicate that owning a dog/cat has a stronger effect in reducing PTSR for girls than for boys. Results for four coping strategies show that children with a dog/cat more often than other two groups use expressing emotions, seeking social support and problem solving. The group without pets uses these three strategies the least often. Such data show that children with a dog/cat have more differentiated coping strategies which may be helpful in reducing PTSR (especially in the case of girls owning a dog/cat who have the least PTSR). Results also show that older children with a dog/cat and without a pet use problem solving most often of all groups of children. Such findings indicate that ownership of a dog/cat can be helpful to older children in acquiring problem solving skills.

Key words (in alphabetical order): coping, pets, traumatic stress, war
pp. 135-146

 


RESULTS OF RESEARCH ACTIVITIES OF THE INSTITUTE OF EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY, S. A. SC. IN THE YEARS 1991-1999

Michal STRIZENEC, Damian KOVAC
Institute of Experimental Psychology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 813 64 Bratislava, Slovak Republic

Abstract: The article describes the results of research activity of the institute for the years 1991-1999; particularly grant projects focused on cognition and coping with stressful situations, history of psychology in Slovakia, practical and personal intelligence, effects of toxins in the environment on children, adjustment of adolescents, creativity, decision making and cognitive styles. Furthermore, subjects of international cooperation and select bibliography of published works for the given period are presented.

Key words: grants results 1991-1999, cognition, intelligence, environmental polutants, creativity, adolescents, history
pp. 147-155