DESIGNING A METHODOLOGY FOR STUDYING THE INCREMENTAL NATURE OF IMPLICIT REPRESENTATIONS: THE POTENTIAL OF ASSOCIATION TESTING IN EMPIRICAL RESEARCH
Abstract
The article discusses the potential of psychodiagnostics as a key branch of psychological science, which provides the development of tools for the empirical study of personality. Particular attention is paid to the need to introduce new approaches to the study of deep human beliefs, in particular, the phenomenon of incrementalism. As opposed to traditional methods, which are often limited to the conscious manifestations of the psyche, it is proposed to use associative testing. This approach allows to identify latent cognitive schemes that are the basis of individual behavior and motivation. The purpose of the study was to provide a scientific justification for the use of association tests to analyze the incremental nature of implicit representations of a person.The initial assumption was that associative techniques are able to reveal hidden connections and attitudes in the mind regarding the interpretation of the concepts of incrementality (focus on development and change) or fixity (focus on stability and unchanging abilities). This approach makes it possible to form a holistic image of the actual characteristics of a person in the context of his or her ability to transform and develop. The study was based on the historical context of associative psychology and modern concepts, in particular, the implicit theories of intelligence and personality of C. S. Dweck. The task was not only to develop a new methodology, but also to determine its psychometric foundations and diagnostic capabilities. As a result, the methodology for studying the incrementality of implicit representations (MSIIR) was created, which is based on the principles of direct and chain association testing. Its difference from survey methods is the minimal structure of the instructions, which reduces the impact of contextual constraints and social- role prescriptions, ensuring the identification of respondents' authentic priorities. In the course of developing the MSIIR, a list of 60 stimulus words was compiled that reflect the dichotomy of incremental and fixed perceptions, including neutral words for masking. The resulting associative reactions allowed us to identify key marker words characterizing the incremental-fixed nature of implicit representations. The methodology was implemented in an online environment, where respondents chose the words that seemed most attractive and relevant to them. To process the results, a quantitative indicator “Incrementality” was developed. The calculations showed that the methodology has high internal consistency and construct validity, which confirms its reliability as a diagnostic tool.
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