Electronic Library of Scientific Literature



STUDIA PSYCHOLOGICA



Volume 39, No 2, 1997

 

 

DIMENSION OF SOCIAL BEHAVIOR IN DEMANDING SITUATIONS

Ladislav LOVAŠ, Jozef VÝROST, František BAUMGARTNER, Eva BOLFÍKOVÁ, Miroslav FRANKOVSKÝ, Slávka HADUŠOVSKÁ
Institute of Social Sciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Karpatská 5, 040 01 Košice, Slovak Republic

Abstract: Social behavior in 5 types of situations was studied empirically. 192 subjects evaluated the expected occurrence of 16 behavior manners in each type of situation and the similarity between these behavior manners. Using factor analysis and multidimensional scaling three strategies were identified: orientation toward solving one's problem alone, searching for social support and escape tendencies (refusing to face the problem, passivity, down playing). The identified strategies correspond highly with typologies of coping strategies which were analogically derived using statistical analysis of empiric material (Amirkhan, 1990; Endler, Parker, 1990).

Key words: demanding situations, social behavior, coping strategies
pp. 91-101

BEHAVIOR STRATEGIES IN DEMANDING LIFE SITUATIONS

Miroslav FRANKOVSKÝ, František BAUMGARTNER
Institute of Social Sciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Karpatská 5, 040 01 Košice, Slovak Republic

Abstract: The empiric-inductive approach to drafting a method for delineating behavior strategies in demanding life  situations  lead to the creation of a questionnaire: 16 specific situations representing 4 basic types of demanding situations (health, interpersonal relationships, employment and finances, personal crisis) and 3 strategies used in solving these (escape, searching for support, solving a problem alone). 207 university students (110 women, 97 men, mean age 21.4 yrs.) assessed, on a 6-point scale, individual possibilities of behaving in various situations. Factor analysis made it possible to extract 4 factors - behavior strategies used in demanding situations. The existence of the three expected behavior strategies was confirmed but, at the same time, the strategy - searching for support in others - revealed itself as specific for situations in the area of health and employment and for situations in the area of personal crisis and interpersonal problems.

Key words: demanding life situations, solving strategies, health, employment, interpersonal relationships
pp. 103-109

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INTERPERSONAL BEHAVIOR TRAITS AND BEHAVIOR STRATEGIES IN DEMANDING LIFE SITUATIONS

Jozef VÝROST
Institute of Social Sciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Karpatská, 5, 040 01 Košice, Slovak Republic

Abstract: The circle model of interpersonal behavior traits, represented by the ICL (T. Leary, 1957) and IAS (J.S. Wiggins, 1979) methods has been used productively for several decades to describe and diagnose key expressions of man in interpersonal relationships. In our research we used the innovated version of the method based on the principles of Wiggins' IAS Interpersonal Circle (Výrost, 1996). The IAS involves a list of 18 situations (6 common in life, 6 conflict and 6 harmonic ones, i.e., positively emotionally loaded) which allows for a more thorough verification of the transsituational stability of interpersonal traits. We analyzed mutual interconnections between the parameters identified by this method and behavior strategies in demanding life situations (DLS). We found meaningfully interpretable mutual relationships between more global interpersonal behavior traits and specific behavior strategies in DLS. This finding can be considered as an argument for the validity of strategies in DLS identified by factor analysis.

Key words: demanding life situations, interpersonal behavior, personality, transsituational stability
pp. 111-114

INTERSEXUAL DIFFERENCES IN BEHAVIOR STRATEGIES IN DEMANDING SITUATIONS

Slávka HADUŠOVSKÁ
Institute of Social Sciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Karpatská 5, 040 01 Košice, Slovak Republic

Abstract: To determine the preferences in using behavior strategies in demanding life situations a questionnaire was devised involving a description of 16 specific situations and three strategies to solve them. The respondents assessed the strategies on a 6 point scale. The various situations came from four areas of life (health problems, interpersonal relationship conflicts, job and financial problems and existential and moral type of personal crisis). The sample consisted of 207 university students (110 women and 97 men). The results confirmed the most significant differences between sexes in choosing strategies in the area of conflicts in interpersonal relationships. The smallest differences were found in choosing strategies for solving personal crisis. Furthermore, the results confirmed that, regardless of the situation, a strategy of independent, active approach to solving demanding situations was preferred by the entire sample. In solving demanding situations, the escape and avoidance strategy is accepted the least.

Key words: demanding life situations, situation-solving strategies, intersexual differences
pp. 115-118

STRATEGIES OF FAIR SOLVING OF DEMANDING LIFE SITUATIONS

Eva BOLFÍKOVÁ
Institute of Social Sciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Karpatská 5, 040 01 Košice, Slovak Republic

Abstract: The approach to empiric research of fairness in solving demanding life situations was inspired by two key models. The self-interest model (Thibaut, Walker, 1975) and the group - value model (Tyler, 1989). A sample of 349 students (172 men, 177 women) were divided into 16 independent groups. The results of statistical analysis allowed us to delineate three factors: 1) prosocially oriented strategies with a great need to communicate and consult; 2) escape strategies; 3) planning, task oriented strategies. The findings indicate a significant inclination of the respondents toward the group - value model. The influence of a situational context causes some deviations from the orientation toward the principles of the group - value model but it mainly causes statistically significant differences in assessing the fairness of the result with respect to the combinations of the strategies used and the result achieved.

Key words: demanding life situations, situation solving models, fair behavior
pp. 119-122

DIMENSIONS OF DEPRESSION IN RELATION TO STRATEGIES OF COPING IN DEMANDING SITUATIONS

František BAUMGARTNER
Institute of Social Sciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Karpatská 5, 040 01 Košice, Slovak Republic

Abstract: Based on the theory of S.J. Blatt a questionnaire called DEQ was designed. It contains three subscales: a) dependency scale which is connected with an anaclitic dimension of depression, b) self-criticism scale which is connected with its introjective dimension, and c) "efficacy" scale which expresses self-confidence, competence and absence of depression. Our empiric research was conducted using the DEQ and SPNS (Coping Strategies in Demanding Situations) questionnaires on a sample of university students. We expected mainly a connection between experiencing dependency and an orientation toward looking for other people's help in solving difficulties.

Key words: depression, coping, orientation toward others, "efficacy"
pp. 123-127

AGGRESSIVENESS AND BEHAVIOR STRATEGIES IN DEMANDING SITUATIONS

Ladislav LOVAŠ
Institute of Social Sciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Karpatská 5, 040 01 Košice, Slovak Republic

Abstract: The relationship of aggression and behavior in demanding situations can be viewed at many levels. One of them involves the relationship between aggressiveness as a relatively stable tendency to act aggressively and those social behavior strategies used in demanding situations such as active solving of a problem, searching for social support and passivity or escape. A connection between the two variables was assumed. We expected that individuals with a higher level of aggressiveness will prefer an active solution to a problem situation, based on the offensive character of aggressive behavior. The relationship between these two phenomena was determined empirically by two newly devised questionnaires: the VDA (Multidimensional Aggressiveness Questionnaire) and the SPNS (Coping Strategies in Demanding Situations). Empiric results did not confirm the hypothesis of a positive relationship between aggressiveness and active solving of problem situations. No statistically significant relationship was found between the overall level of aggressiveness and social behavior strategies in demanding situations. A positive relationship was found between hostility and physical aggression as components of aggressiveness and a tendency to solve demanding situations by escape and passivity.

Key words: demanding life situations, aggressiveness, social behavior, hostility
pp. 129-132

PERCEIVED SOCIAL INJUSTICE AND NEGATIVE AFFECTIVE STATES

Ivana PIRHÁÈOVÁ
Institute of Social Sciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Karpatská 5, 040 01 Košice, Slovak Republic

Abstract: Situations of social injustice are a part of everyday life. They occur usually after the requirements and demands of others have been disrupted. This unfair behavior is reflected in the emotional sphere of personality. Most often it involves negative emotions such as anger, bitterness, guilt, etc. These have become the subject of our research verification. We studied the occurrence of negative affective states in situations of perceived social injustice and intersexual differences. With respect to the generally accepted knowledge dealing with sex-role behavior we anticipated a more frequent occurrence of anger and sadness in women.

Key words: perceived injustice, emotions, anger, interpersonal differences, personality
pp. 133-136

DESCRIBING HARD TIMES: A CROSS-CULTURAL ANALYSIS OF NEGATIVE VALUES

Jozef VÝROST, Rex STAINTON ROGERS, Wendy STAINTON ROGERS, Ladislav LOVAŠ
Institute of Social Sciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Karpatská 5, 040 01 Košice, Slovak Republic
University of Reading
The Open University

Abstract: For about three years a group of us in several European countries have been exploring the aspirations of young people, in part through the study of their values. In this report, we look to the idea of investigating values not just in terms of positive choices but also in terms of deprivation. The basic structure of the study was concerned with the contrasting of traditional discrimination (value preference rankings) with two "deprivation" conditions. Specifically:
a) Standard Administration - Revised Rokeach Values ranked by acceptability
b) Loss Format - Revised Rokeach Values ranked in terms of the acceptability of their loss
c) Negation Format - Antonymic Revised Rokeach Values ranked for acceptability.
Unusually for such work, the study combined two ways of looking at the data: not only by mainstream R methodology (e.g., looking at average rankings and correlations across conditions) but also by Q methodology (pattern analysis).
Several substantive findings are emergent from this study:
The R methodological analyses suggest that conditions of `loss' and of `negation' are best seen as challenging variants of assessing values rather than totally new demands. Some values are particularly sensitive to conditions and this suggests that using more than one condition adds to the information gathered.
The Q methodological pursuit of alternative value configurations reveals much that is hidden by simple averaged ranks by correlation across conditions.
The Instrumental value configurations would suggest that `socio-emotional' patterns are more salient than traditional `task' (e.g. achievement) patterns amongst young people. This may reflect uncertainty over how (or even if) instrumentality leads to material success.
The Terminal value configurations appear to reflect three main extrapolations into the future. One of these is `spiritual/religious', a second is `hedonic', the third expresses sedimented, `modern' projected values.

Key words: instrumental and terminal values, value orientations, hard times
pp. 137-152

WHAT CAN THE TIME PARAMETER TELL US ABOUT HUMAN BEHAVIOR

Damián KOVÁÈ
Institute of Experimental Psychology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 813 64 Bratislava, Slovak Republic

Abstract: Psychologists often forget the fact that the measure of time carries a different weight at various levels of human behavior. In terms of reactions, the time parameter is the primary and, in terms of actions, the secondary indicator of optimal functioning. In case of responses, i.e. behavior affected by specific and non specific learning, the time parameter is an indicator of the functioning of mental processes, beginning with detection and ending with mental operations. The author has compiled years of experiments to create a schematic model. This model depicts the ratio of quantitative to qualitative parameters at individual behavior levels: reaction time - erroneousness, response time - relevancy, decision time - aim of the action. All the above is illustrated by examples from practice.

Key words: reaction - response - decision time, promptness, sports activity
pp. 153-158

THE QUALITATIVE SIDE OF THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN IRRATIONAL AND CREATIVE THINKING

Jana KORDAÈOVÁ
Institute of Experimental Psychology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 813 64 Bratislava, Slovak Republic

Abstract: This work analyzes the problem of qualitative and quantitative expressions of the level of creativity and its relationship to the measure of irrational beliefs. The effort to assess the quality of creative production or, more accurately, to integrate the qualitative and quantitative indicators of creativity gave us the possibility to disadvantage the so-called "gushers" of ideas of low quality and rehabilitate persons who produce fewer but high quality responses. To analyze this view in our research we used the creative production quality index which proved to be its suitable measure. The results are interpreted with respect to the frame work of creative production - irrational thinking - hypothetically-interpretative style.

Key words: irrational beliefs, creativity, hypothetically-interpretative thinking, creative production quality index, creative thinking styles
pp. 159-165

CONFIGURAL FREQUENCY ANALYSIS OF DEPENDENT SAMPLES FOR INTRA-PATIENT TREATMENT COMPARISONS

Mark STEMMLER, Sean HAMMOND
Institut für Psychologie I, Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Bismarckstrasse 1, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
Broadmoor Hospital Crowthorne

Abstract: The dependent sample Configural Frequency Analysis (CFA; cf. von Eye, 1990) a nonparametrical test, is suggested as an alternative to the parametrical t-test for dependent samples. The dependent sample CFA may be used, for example, for detecting intra-patient treatment effects in pre-post or cross-over designs. Contrary to the t-test the dependent sample CFA can be applied to nominal (i.e., binary), ordinal, or continuous response variables. Furthermore, the proposed test may be generalized to two and more response variables. Significant test results or identified cells may be interpreted as discrimination types. Discrimination types are patterns of discrete or polychotomous response variables which contain frequencies occurring more often than expected under a null hypothesis (H0) of no treatment effects. The test for discrimination types follows the rationale of the Lehmacher (1980) simultaneous sign test which compares row with column marginals in a square contingency table. The dependent sample CFA is illustrated using examples from pharmacological research.

Key words: dependent samples, paired samples, response variable, pre-post observations, cross-over design, square contingency tables, simultaneous tests
pp. 167-175