NARROW VS WIDE RANGE OF EQUIVALENCE AND REGULATION OF ACTIVITY IN DIFFICULT LIFE SITUATIONS

Abstract

The article presents theoretical and empirical studies of cognitive and stylistic characteristics of a person and their connection with the regulation of activity (coping behaviour, mechanisms of psychological protection). The problem of mental representation of a difficult life situation is raised. It is said that the link between the cognitive and stylistic characteristics of the individual and coping, protective mechanisms, is the assessment of the situation, its mental representation. The paper describes the results of a study of a narrow vs wide range of equivalence, assessment by representatives of different cognitive poles of difficult life situations, the relationship with coping and psychological defences. Significant differences in the regulation of personal activity in a problem situation are revealed. Thus, respondents with a wide range of equivalence (n=32) are more likely to resort to coping strategies such as Escape-Avoidance, Distancing and Confrontational coping. In defence mechanisms, they prefer Substitution, Reactive formations, and Displacement. In assessments of the situation, they are less likely to give such characteristics: Good, Full, Bright. It is also statistically proven that there are a small number of relationships in this group between the assessment of the situation and the regulation of activity. It is concluded that respondents with a narrow range of equivalence (n=38) give a more diverse assessment of a difficult life situation, which does not always contribute to a quick solution of the problem.