The aim of the current research was to confirm the properties of one possible way how to measure the phenomenon of self-licensing in goal directed behaviour. As the name of variable suggests, we have connected two significant fields of self-regulation research – moral justification (specifically self-licensing) (Khan & Dhar, 2006; Kivetz & Zheng, 2006; Monin & Miller, 2001) and goal directed behaviour (Carver & Scheier, 2001; Fishbein & Ajzen, 1975; Perugini & Bagozzi, 2001). The sample of 114 university students (78% women; 22% men) aged from 18 to 33 years (the average age was 23,03 years, SD=2,78) has been used. We have constructed a reliable questionnaire (Cronbach´s alpha=0,921) capturing the way of goal attainment in morally questionable conditions. The questionnaire consists of three reliable sub-dimensions: Remorse (0,848), Self-reassurance (0,841) and Depersonalization (0,832). Except of new measure, next three have been used: Machiavellian Personality Scale (Dahling et al., 2008), Short Self-Control Scale (Tangney, Baumeister & Boone, 2004) and Conscientiousness dimension from NEO-FFI (Ruisel & Halama, 2007). Gender differences have been confirmed in self-licensing in goal directed behaviour as whole and also in sub-dimensions of Remorse and Self-reassurance. The correlation analysis has confirmed significant inter-correlations between all sub-dimensions of self-licensing in goal directed behaviour. Also it has confirmed significant relationships with machiavellian personality, self-control and self-conscientiousness. The aim of the current research was reached by finding factor structure of Self-licensing in goal directed behaviour questionnaire and its relationships with machiavellianism, self-control and conscientiousness.
The process of creating, pursuing, and achieving goals in the form of self-regulation is an essential part of an individual's life, as it helps them to create and subsequently implement their life plan. However, even with individually set goals, one does not always achieve them, and some goals can turn out to be unattainable. Personal goals can therefore be a source of stress, especially if the person encounters serious obstacles or experiences major setbacks. The main goal of the current research was to clarify the relationship between experiencing action crisis and the type of obstacle (subjective/ objective), to explain the connection between action crisis and selected obstacle characteristics as perceived frequency and intensity. An additional goal was to categorize obstacles according to content, based on the criterion of subjectivity and objectivity. The study was conducted on a sample of 542 young adults aged from 18 to 34 years (Mage = 22.2; SD = 1.96). The sample consisted of 73.25 % females (N = 379) and of 26.75% males (N = 145). Convenience and purposive sampling methods have been used. Content analysis of obstacles based on the criterion of subjectivity and objectivity was conducted. We perceive the benefit of the study to be in the enrichment of the existing classifications of obstacles by adding two more categories (physical / mental state and personality). It is also a beneficial finding that objective and subjective obstacles contribute to the experiencing of the action crisis to approximately the same extent, but with a more detailed look at specific types of obstacles, it is possible to notice differences. The results suggest that it is not the type of obstacle that is crucial, but rather the perceived intensity and frequency of the obstacle. These results support not only the importance of self-reflection, persistence training, self-control, but also mental resilience.
The aim of the presented research is to confirm if it is possible to consider selfhandicapping and self-licensing as reasoning strategies of resolution violation in the process of resisting temptation. We have tried to confirm the existence of significant relationship and the possibility of prediction of resistance in compliance with resolutions, self-handicapping and self-licensing. We understand resolution as goal intention initiated and set by individual for himself/herself. Then, resistance in compliance with resolutions refers to high level of self-control and willpower in pursuing and attaining specific kind of goals or intentions – resolutions. It is the resistance to situational influences causing impulsive behavior. Self-handicapping is the self-protective strategy known as using of situational circumstances for excusing poor achievement. The third discussed term is self- licensing occuring when past moral behavior makes people more likely to do potentially immoral things without worrying about feeling or appearing immoral. We have used the sample of 121 university students aged from 18 to 30 years (average age = 22,2 years, standard deviation = 2,2). To measure the variables we have used three questionnaires, the questionnaire of Resistance in compliance with resolutions (Lovaš, Čopková, 2012), translated version of Self-Handicapping Scale (Jones, Rhodewalt, 1982) and Self- Licensing questionnaire constructed for the purpose of this research. We have supposed negative relationship between resistance in complinace with resolutions and both kinds of reasoning strategies of resolution violation. The Pearson correlation analysis has shown that there are significant negative relationship between variables of resistance in compliance with resolutions and self-handicapping (-0,332) (significance level p<0,01). The less significant negative relationship is between resistance in compliance with resolutions and self-licensing (-0,129). The regression analysis didn´t confirm the prediction power of our model (R2 = 0,112), but we can consider self-handicapping as better predictor of resistance in compliance with resolutions (p = 0,001) than selflicensing (p = 0,705). We have also been interested in internal consistency and other psychometric characteristics of questionnaires. The Cronbach´s alpha (CA) was used as indicator of internal consistency. The value of Cronbach´s alphafor questionnaire for Resistance in complince with resolutions was 0,846, for Slovak version of Selfhandicapping Scale 0,776 and for Self-Licensing questionnaire 0,746. We have run used questionnaures under the factor analysis and we identified three factors in each of questionnaires. In Self-Handicapping scale we have found factors: Behavioral Self- Handicapping (CA = 0,756), Claimed Self-Handicapping (CA = 0,628) and Emotions (CA = 0,724). In Self-Licensing questionnaire we have found Reward (CA = 0,732) , Resignation (CA = 0,699) and Compensation (CA = 0,584). Acquisition of our research consists in enriching self-regulation and self-control research because of using goaldirected behavior perspective, sepcifically the perspective of setting and attaining specific goals – resolutions.
While the personality of helping professionals has been the subject of research for quite some time, the approach towards this has changed over this period. While most research (e.g. Bakker et al., 2006; Mlcák & Záskodná, 2008) focuses more on adaptive personality traits - the so called „bright side“ (Oluf & Furnham, 2015) -, less attention was paid to the fact that, as with every person, a helping professional possesses, to some degree , maladaptive personality traits, or a „dark side. The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship of three aversive personality traits: Machiavellianism, narcissism and psychopathy - nowadays known by experts as the Dark Triad (Paulhus & Williams, 2002) - ; with work satisfaction on a sample of helping professionals - pedagogical workers, healthcare workers, rescue workers and social workers. The study was conducted on a sample of 151 participants from different sectors of the helping professions. The Slovak version of Short Dark Triad - SD3 (Jones & Paulhus, 2014; Čopková, in review) and the Slovak version of Job Satisfaction Survey (Spector, 1985; Mesárošová, 2016) were administered. The Slovak version of Short Dark Triad consists of 27 items that saturate three subscales – Machiavellianism, narcissism, psychopathy. Slovak version of Job satisfaction survey is based on the original Job satisfaction survey (Spector, 1985; Mesárošová, 2016)), which is aimed at capturing job satisfaction in the humanitarian sectors, so its use is suitable for a sample of helping professionals.
JavaScript is turned off in your web browser. Turn it on to take full advantage of this site, then refresh the page.