A number of studies in cognitive psychology indicate that human behavior is largely governed by irrational factors (heuristics, cognitive biases, attitudes). These factors influence vital decisions, which can subsequently affect a person’s life and behavior in a broad temporal perspective. There is a lack of research on identifying the individual-typological and personal characteristics that make the irrational behavior more likely to occur. Our research is aimed at revealing the interrelation of predictors of irrational behavior (superstitiousness, “prelogical” defense, unconstructive, categorical, personally superstitious and esoteric thinking, naive optimism), individual-typological and personality characteristics of respondents. We used I. R. Abitov’s questionnaire, J. Tobacyk’s Paranormal Belief Scale adapted by D. S. Grigoriev, I. Y. Stoyanova’s Beliefs and Superstitions Questionnaire, and S. Epstein’s Constructive Thinking Inventory (adapted by S. N. Enikolopov and S. V. Lebedev) to reveal the expression of irrational behavior predictors. The individual-typological characteristics were identified using the Temperament Accentuation Test and the Individual-Typological Questionnaire, while the personal characteristics were identified using the G. V. Zalewski Psychological Rigidity Questionnaire and the C. Scheyer and M. Carver Test for Optimism. It was found that a decrease in the constructive thinking is associated with the expression of such characteristics as shyness, aggression, neuroticism (anxiety), sensitivity to external influences, various manifestations of rigidity, emotional instability and pessimism. It was also found that the expression of these characteristics, as well as pessimism and aversion to changes in self-esteem and personal position, is associated with a tendency to show categorical (“black and white”) thinking. Naive optimism is more often shown by respondents with such characteristics as hyperthymia and increased social activity. The relationship of personality-superstitious thinking with pessimism, fear of new situations, shyness, neuroticism (anxiety), and a tendency to exaggerate one’s difficulties were found. The novelty of our study lies in the discovery of complexes of characteristics that can increase the likelihood of irrational behavior. Reviewing the literature on the topic of the research, we did not find any works made in the mainstream of such an approach. The complexes of individual-typological and personal characteristics revealed in the given research can be considered as “targets” of psychological correction and prevention to decrease the risk of socially dangerous behavior.
Keyword(s) : personal characteristics
Personality correlates of the regulation of mental States of students
Abstract
Representations of an individual’s mental states are dynamic, and possesses both structure and form.
Building a clear image (mental impressions) of the desired mental state allows you to develop an
effective strategy of self-regulation. The study identified possible mechanisms of control of mental
States through their representation in the mind (mental representation) and the relationship with
personal characteristics of the subjects. Various techniques were used including: the five-factor
personality test McCrae – Costa «Magnificent five», the technique of self-identity (Budassi), and
the «The mental state Relief» questionnaire (Prokhorov). The article explores the mechanisms of
regulation of mental conditions, and personal characteristics which determine the specificity of
mental representations of mental States using various indicators of the States (mental processes,
physiological reactions, feelings and behavior). It identifies the structure of relationships formed by
divergent and coherent relationships, and their organization and connectedness. Diverging signs
form the structure of mental representations of negative mental state. It shows that self-esteem is
a major cause of the formation of mental representations of actual and positive mental States. The
results can be used for developing techniques of regulation and self-regulation of mental States.