Electronic Library of Scientific Literature


 
 
 

STUDIA PSYCHOLOGICA

 

Volume 41 / No. 4 / 1999

 

 

 


DAMIÁN KOVÁČ'S CONTRIBUTION TO THE THEORY AND METHODOLOGY OF PSYCHOLOGY

Veronika KOVÁLIKOVÁ
Institute of Experimental Psychology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 813 64 Bratislava, Slovak Republic

Abstract: This paper is an evaluating view of the life long work of D. Kováč with respect to his contribution to the theory and methodology of psychology. The author comments on his explicitly theoretical work on the development of the theory of psychology and highly values the proposed psychoregulatory understanding of psychological reality, as exceptionally suitable and fruitful theoretical framework of research in psychology, the interfunctional approach as well as methodological principle of research work in psychology and the results of the Bratislava school of experimental psychology. D. Kováč's effort to establish a special group of hoministic sciences and his effort to organize work on a complex research of man.

Key words: theory of psychology, psychoregulatory theory, interfunctional approach
pp. 255-260


PSYCHOLOGY AND PSEUDOPSYCHOLOGY

Jiří HOSKOVEC
Department of Psychology, Philosophical Faculty of Charles University, Celetná 20, 110 00 Prague 1, Czech Republic

Abstract: The study presents a definition of pseudopsychology based on Popper's approach of falsification possibility as the criteria of psychological knowledge. Examples are given from the history of Czech and Slovak psychology, which justifiably criticized pseudopsychology. The skeptical approach to pseudopsychology should be used over and over again. At the same time, openness toward research of phenomena which have yet to be adequately clarified should be maintained.

Key words: pseudopsychology, Popper falsification, clairvoyance, charlatanism, parapsychology, psychohistory, irrationality of thoughts
pp. 261-268


PSYCHOLOGY OF RESPONSIBILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY OF PSYCHOLOGISTS

Jan SRNEC
Department of Psychology, Philosophical Faculty of Charles University

Celetná 20, 110 00 Prague 1, Czech Republic

Abstract: According to some prognosis, the importance of psychology should increase in the future, in the interest of the survival of human kind and the sustenance of life itself on the planet Earth. The reason lies in the necessity to reflect on the trend in ecology and on people's way of life so far. Philosophical deliberations and global programs at the level of the state or international organizations are not sufficient to stop this trend. From the psychological point of view, the central theme should be the creation of the appropriate attitude and value orientation. According to the author, strengthening the sense of personal responsibility going beyond the duration of one's own life, is of utmost concern. Psychologists should try to make sure that these goals become part of the education in a democratic society; and that means in a family, in school as well as outside school.

Key words: future of psychology, continuous survival of life, civic responsibility
pp. 269-273


APORIA IN THE INFORMATION-PROCESSING PARADIGM OF CONTEMPORARY COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY

Miluše SEDLÁKOVÁ
Institute of Psychology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, branch Prague, Husova 4, 110 00 Praha 1, Czech Republic

Abstract: Information paradigm of psychological research of cognition in the Anglo-Saxon region lays the foundation for the following trends of cognitive movement: (1) classical cognitive psychology, (2) developmentally oriented cognitive psychology, (3) cognitive science, and (4) connectionism. The main contradiction of the information paradigm resides in the discordant delimitation of the concept of representation. The contradiction in the conceptions of symbolic and subsymbolic representation is interpreted as a result of differing paradigms - paradigm of representation and presentation.

Key words: classic cognitive psychology, cognitive science, connectionism, paradigm of representationism, paradigm of presentationism
pp. 274-279


THE SPECIFICITY PRINCIPLE AS A THEORETICAL-METHODOLOGICAL BASIS FOR PSYCHOLOGY OF PERSONALITY

Vladimír SMÉKAL
Department of Psychology, Social Studies Faculty of the Masaryk University, Gorkého 7, 602 00 Brno, Czech Republic

Abstract: The study analyzes traditional psychology of personality based on the presumption that statements are universal and generalizable and on the idealizational procedure of knowledge production. The limited validity of these presumptions is pointed out and the principle of specificity, which is thought to be more relevant to the aims of psychology of personality, is described.

Key words: principle of specificity, homoscedastic relationships, heteroscedastic relationships, generalization, universality, idealization, personality
pp. 280-285


GIFTEDNESS AND TALENT: THEORY, RESEARCH AND PRACTICE

Vladimír DOČKAL
Research Institute of Child Psychology and Pathopsychology, Trnavská 112, 821 02 Bratislava, Slovak Republic

Abstract: The contribution discusses the possibility of differentiating between giftedness and talent in the context of the difference between a concept and a term. It prefers to use both words (synonyms) for one psychological concept. Current views on this matter converge on understanding giftedness to mean a multidimensional phenomenon, a phenotypical characteristic of man, and even more frequently, every individual's own characteristic. Furthermore, the author sketches the most important areas on which giftedness research should concentrate (heredity, structure and types of talent, identification and development, social environment, education, development of giftedness, talents of the disabled and implicit theories). The author discusses forms of education of gifted children (from integrated to segregated) and the mutual relationship between science and practice.

Key words: giftedness, talent, concept, term, research of giftedness, education of talented individuals
pp. 286-290


POSSIBILITIES AND LIMITATIONS OF THE DISCENT PARADIGM IN PSYCHOLOGY

Ondrej KONDÁŠ
Research Institute of Child Psychology and Pathopsychology in Bratislava and Department of Psychology, Trnava University

Abstract: In the framework of trying to find a global concept of understanding man and contributing to the solution of man's fundamental problems, the contribution discusses the importance of the paradigmatic term "Homo Discens" - a continuously learning being. He is learning much (concepts, attitudes, beliefs, etc.) that forms him to a great extent and much that deforms him. He copies others and accepts as his own experiences and knowledge gained by others. Memory, as a disposition base of learning takes part in the forming of an identity but it can also take part in creating disorders (such as posttraumatic stress reaction). The main use of this approach was found in psychotherapy under the term behavioral or cognitive-behavioral therapy. This therapy has greatly enhanced methodological approaches and ways to help suffering people. Great progress could be recorded in this sense, if Homo Discens could reach the stage of Homo Sapientipotens, i.e., powerful through his wisdom. However, man, with his lack of modesty, remains incorrigible in some fundamental principles and there is a bit of irrationality left in him.

Key words: learning, memory, cognition, cognitive-behavioral therapy, Homo Sapiens, Homo Discens, Homo Sapientipotens
pp.291-295


INTELLIGENCE THROUGH THE PRISM OF INTERFUNCTIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

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

Abstract: The substance of intelligence is the subject of many intense discussions nowadays. Gradually, the long dominance of abstract and psychometric intelligence is diminishing. More attention is being paid to the regulatory role of intelligence in everyday life. The regulatory role of intelligence can be illustrated by the adult thinking construct. The adult thinking construct was devised as a reaction to the models of formal logic, which has, so far, dominated in research of cognitive abilities. The following characteristics define in more detail the adult thinking construct: problem identification, relativistic and dialectic thinking, contextualism and insecurity, integration of emotions and cognition. The role of adult thinking in the regulation of the individual's cognitive activities is discussed.

Key words: intelligence, adult thinking, relativistic and dialectic thinking.
pp. 296-300


SUBJECTIVE PROBABILITY, SUBJECTIVE CERTAINTY AND POSITIVE-NEGATIVE ASYMMETRY

Jozef VÝROST, Ladislav LOVAŠ
Institute of Social Sciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Karpatská 5, 040 00 Košice, Slovak Republic
Public Administration Faculty, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, Moyzesova 50, 040 01 Košice, Slovak Republic

Abstract: The contribution concentrates on the verification of mutual relationships between subjective certainty and subjective probability. Unlike the model, which expects a relationship which could be expressed by a quadratic function, empirical data present arguments in favor of a linear mutual dependency. At the same time, in the distribution of the responses under the condition YES (the phenomenon will occur) and NO (the phenomenon will not occur) a certain disproportion was manifested. We associate this fact with the already well known phenomenon of the so-called positive-negative asymmetry.

Key words: subjective probability, subjective certainty, positive-negative asymmetry
pp. 301-305


POSSIBILITIES OF USING COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGICAL METHODS IN FIELD RESEARCH

Oľga ÁROCHOVÁ, Alena POTAŠOVÁ
Institute of Experimental Psychology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 813 64 Bratislava, Slovak Republic

Abstract: This contribution points, rather than to research results, to possibilities of effectively expanding the repertory of methods in the area of applied research such as behavioral toxicology, to include methods developed in the framework of cognitive psychology, psycholinguistics, etc.

Key words: behavioral toxicology, linguistic development, school maturity
pp. 306-309


RECENT THEORETICAL CONCEPTS IN PSYCHOLOGY OF RELIGION

Michal STRÍŽENEC
Institute of Experimental Psychology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 813 64 Bratislava, Slovak Republic

Abstract: This work points out the need for theoretical bases of psychology of religion and a thorough scientific approach. Of the more recent approaches to the study of the development of religiosity, the paper emphasizes the theory of attachment and, in terms of religious experiencing, the theory of roles, attribution theory and Jung's approach to spirituality.

Key words: psychology of religion, theoretical concepts, attachment theory, Jung and spirituality
pp. 310-313


MODEL OF NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL STRUCTURE OF DRUG ADDICTION

Viliam BÍRO
Institute of Experimental Psychology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 813 64 Bratislava, Slovak Republic

Abstract: In a probe study we tried to register the psychological importance which individuals long addicted to heroin ascribe to the drug and how they assess themselves at various stages of treatment. The study included two groups of heroin addicts. The first one consists of patients who are undergoing treatment at a sanatorium. The second group comprises patients after a treatment who go to the H-club (post treatment process). We used the semantic differential method to study the distance between the "SELF" and the "DRUG". The results showed that patients under treatment at a sanatorium have not yet created a distance for themselves from the drug. On the other hand, patients in the H-club already do have a distance from the drug.

Key words: semantic differential, psychologically regulated behavior, drug neuropsychological structure, heroin
pp. 314-318


POSSIBILITIES OF RESEARCH OF CREATIVITY IN CONTEXT OF COPING

Marek FALAT
Institute of Experimental Psychology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 813 64 Bratislava, Slovak Republic

Abstract: The study focuses on the illumination of the relationship between creativity and coping with stress (frustration). We used a method which measures creativity - authors: K.K. Urban and H.K. Jellen and a modified version of S. Rosenzweig's frustration tolerance test in the form of stimuli text to pictures. The research sample consisted of 32 third year university students. As we have found, highly creative individuals use significantly more active-constructive strategies as well as original and witty responses in coping with frustrating situations. In spite of certain tendencies, in aggressive and escape responses we found no statistically significant differences between high and low creative students.

Key words: creativity, coping strategies, frustration, humor
pp. 319-322


PERSONALITY DIMENSIONS AND SELF-ESTEEM INDICATORS RELATIONSHIPS

Emília FICKOVÁ
Institute of Experimental Psychology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 813 64 Bratislava, Slovak Republic

Abstract: The study analyzes the relationships between personality dimensions (NEO-FFI, STAI) and self-esteem indicators (Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale; Self-Concept Clarity Scale - Campbell et al., 1990; State Self-Esteem Scale - Heatherton and Polivy, 1991) in 14-17 year old high school students. In adolescents with high score in self-esteem indicators under study we found significantly higher extroversion and conscientiousness. Low self-esteem correlated significantly with high neuroticism, high state and high trait anxiety. A comparison of the relationships between agreeableness and openness personality dimensions and self-esteem indicators in girls and boys indicated significant variability and intersexual differences. According to our results, neuroticism, extroversion, conscientiousness, state and trait anxiety are reliable predictors of self-esteem.

Key words: personality NEO-FFI, self-concept clarity, self-esteem, state self-esteem
pp. 323-328


SNYDER'S HOPE SCALE

Peter HALAMA
Institute of Experimental Psychology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 813 64 Bratislava, Slovak Republic

Abstract: The author translated Snyder's The Adult Hope Trait Scale into Slovak and distrubuted it to 206 university students to verify its psychometric properties. Snyder's theory of hope is described, alpha coefficient, analysis of items and factor analysis of the scale are computed.

Key words: hope, Hope Scale
pp. 329-332


CONTRIBUTION OF THE RATIONAL-EMOTIVE APPROACH TO PERSONALITY THEORY

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

Abstract: In our conditions, it is not well known that the rational-emotive approach is also defined as a theory of personality; from the view of the psychological health model it could be called the theory of emotionally healthy personality. In this sense, A. Ellis speaks about a fully functioning person, the characteristics of which are described in the paper. The so-called short-range hedonism, demandingness, unrealistic attitudes and beliefs as well as exessive need for acknowledgment represent a barrier to achieving this optimal state. REBT places the origin of irrationality in basic human nature but, at the same time, it admits to the ability of a person to change his/her social and personal "fate". Compared to some other theoretical approaches to personality, the REBT theory speaks about the multiplicity of factors, which cause and maintain the specificity of an individual's personality.

Key words: rational-emotive approach, personality theory, psychological regulation
pp. 333-336


CREATIVITY AND CONFORMITY: QUALITY AND POLARITY BETWEEN THE TWO

Daniela KUSÁ
Institute of Experimental Psychology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 813 64 Bratislava, Slovak Republic

Abstract: The paper is focused on conformity and its qualitative distinctiveness in creative people. While the quantitative indicators have shown the equally high extent of conformity in high- and low-creative subjects, reasoning of conformity as a qualitative indicator has shown a distinctiveness of high-creative subjects, their emphasis on autonomy in decision-making. The findings indicate a higher sensitivity to a situational context in creative people and their relative independence of social norms.

Key words: creative thinking, conformity, prosocial and antisocial reasoning
pp. 337-340


TRADITIONAL AND MORE RECENT APPROACHES IN PSYCHOLOGY OF MEN AND WOMEN: SEX OR GENDER?

Dagmar MAXIANOVÁ
Institute of Experimental Psychology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 813 64 Bratislava, Slovak Republic

Abstract: The article presents an overview of contributions in the area of psychology of women and men in Slovak and Czech Republics from the 1970s to date. The different meaning of the terms "sex" and "gender" is pointed out. Two problem areas, i.e. differences between men and women in intelligence and in social behavior, are discussed. Although research in this area is sporadic in Slovak and Czech Republics, it does reflect basic trends in world psychology.

Key words: gender, sex, intellect abilities, social behavior
pp. 341-344


INTERACTION BETWEEN RELIGIOSITY AND SELF-CONCEPT

Lucia ORLICKÁ
Institute of Experimental Psychology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 831 64 Bratislava

Abstract: This theoretical psycho-philosophical contribution deals in its first part with a question of a place of religion in the contemporary society. On the background of the philosophical anthropology it offers a solution of a problem, whether psychology with its view of people can escape religion; This paper briefly presents the understanding of human self in different contexts: Fromm's humanistic and authoritarian religion, Christian view, analogy of the notions Ego and Self with a person in general and with Jesus Christ in Jung's analytical psychology, and calls attention to some problems concerning measuring a relationship between religion and self.

Key words: religion, religiosity, self, philosophical anthropology, humanistic and authoritarian religion, ego and Self, measuring religiosity and self
pp. 345-348


METHODOLOGICAL AND METHODICAL PROBLEMS IN ENVIRONMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY

Alena POTAŠOVÁ
Institute of Experimental Psychology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 813 64 Bratislava, Slovak Republic

Abstract: Environmental psychology presents many new research problems and a broad platform for interdisciplinary research, which is rather methodologically-methodically limited in trying to detect often particularly subtle correlations between man and the aspects of his environment.

Key words: environmental psychology, behavioral toxicology
pp. 349-351


THE ROLE OF PARENTAL CHILDREARING IN EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS OF ADOLESCENTS

Alexandra PROKOPČÁKOVÁ
Institute of Experimental Psychology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 813 64 Bratislava, Slovak Republic

Abstract: Research focused on studying the relationship between type of parental childrearing and emotional and psychosomatic problems in adolescents. The sample consists of 954 girls and 879 boys. We administered the Magnusson and Dunér's symptom questionnaire and Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. The results showed the importance of the gender of the parent as well as the child in upbringing. We found that strict upbringing of the parent of the opposite gender negatively affects emotional well-being and psychosomatics of the adolescent.

Key words: parental childrearing, emotional problems, adolescents
pp. 352-355


CROSS-CULTURAL ASPECTS OF ADJUSTMENT OF ADOLESCENTS

Zdena RUISELOVÁ
Institute of Experimental Psychology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 813 64 Bratislava, Slovak Republic

Abstract: The study deals with adjustment problems during the adolescent period of development. It is a deliberation about the universal (etic) and specific (emic) aspects in a cross-cultural contexts. Data from research of adjustment problems of 15 year old adolescents in Slovakia serve as the illustration. The effect of globalization on adolescent development is also discussed.

Key words: adolescents, adjustment problems
pp. 356-359


HUMOR AND CREATIVITY IN INTRAPSYCHOLOGICAL BONDS (Empiric Probe)

Tomáš KOVÁČ
Research Institute of Child Psychology and Pathopsychology, Trnavská cesta 112, 821 02 Bratislava, Slovak Republic

Abstract: A sample of 73 high school students (boys) aged 15 to 18 yrs. were part of a study of the relationships between creativity, sense of humor and prosocial behavior. Factor analysis proved that these two phenomena influence each other in a positive way. Two factors created by the statistics used were: 1. factor of witty coping with social situations and 2. factor of prosocial creativity.

Key words: creativity, sense of humor, prosocial behavior
pp. 360-362