Self-concept structure has been extensively studied in the literature especially with
regard to its relationship with psychological adjustment. However, the behavioral
outcomes of the cognitive structure of the self and the mechanisms through which the
relationship between self-concept structure and psychological adjsutment operate are
still to be maintained. This study offered that the two dimensions of self-concept
structure, differention and integration, would be related to the two dimensions of
behavioral flexibility: Behavioral repertoire and deliberate adjustment of behaviors.
iv
Differentiation, tapping behavioral repertoire, was assumed to determine whether a
person is flexible or rigid, while integration tapping deliberate adjustment were
supposed to determine the quality of flexibility (i.e., whether the repertoire is controlled
by the individual or by situational factors). By crossing these two dimensions, a model
with four behavioral patterns was proposed: (1) Functional flexibility, characterized by
both high integration and high differentiation / (2) situational flexibility, characterized by
high differentiation but low integration / (3) stereotypical rigidity, characterized by low
differentiation but high integration, and (4) effacing rigidity, which is low on both
dimensions. Three studies were conducted on university students (N = 163, N = 123 and
N = 242 for the three studies respectively) in order to test this model. Results revealed
that the behavioral repertoire dimension of behavioral flexibility was linked to selfconcept
differentiation, whereas the deliberate adjustment dimension was related to selfconcept
integration. Functional flexibility and effacing rigidity patterns were clearly
specified by measures of psychological adjustment, locus of control, need for cognition,
need for approval and Big Five dimensions. Stereotypical rigidity and situational
flexibilty patterns, however, seemed to require more elaboration. The model offering
that flexibility mediates the link between self-concept structure and self-esteem was not
supported.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:METU/oai:etd.lib.metu.edu.tr:http://etd.lib.metu.edu.tr/upload/12605169/index.pdf |
| Date | 01 July 2004 |
| Creators | Engin, Elif |
| Contributors | Sumer, Nebi |
| Publisher | METU |
| Source Sets | Middle East Technical Univ. |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | M.S. Thesis |
| Format | text/pdf |
| Rights | To liberate the content for public access |
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