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6PERSONALITY AND BEHAVIORAL DETERMINANTS OF INDIVIDUAL'S BEHAVIOR IN SITUATION OF DANGER
Wojciech Czajkowski
Pedagogical University, Cracow Juliusz Piwowarski
School of Higher Education is Public and Individual Security "Apeiron", Cracow Dorota Ambroiy
University School of Physical Education, Cracow Stefan Koiian
Akadumia Policajnuho zboru v Bratislave
Key words: martial arts; Type A behavioral pattern; JAS questionnaire; security; safety culture
1. Introduction In this research project the authors observed the influence of physical culture [6] on the level of safety culture [5] as well as personality, behavioral and axiological determinants of the functioning of an individual in the context of physical activity in situations where safety is threatened. The study was focused on a group of individuals trained to perform roles strongly connected to security, including, among others, hand-to-hand combat. It was assumed that the personality of such individuals would develop towards and express certain values associated with safety culture. In the consideration of these problems, we adopted a securitological approach [8], especially emphasizing the first pillar (of the three identified by Marian Ciealarczyk: mental, organizational and material) of safety culture. The study raised the issue of personality and normative behavior modifications and touched the problems of interpreting human actions in axiological categories, which are relevant to the overall image of combat sports.
2. The area of study. The discussed research project relates to the personal and behavioral determinants of an individual's actions in the context of a threat to security. This context pertains to the individual's feeling of security, which may be shaped differently, depending on one's personal traits and repetitive behavioral patterns (e.g. Type A).
2.1 The concept of "Type A behavioral pattern" (TABP) [2] is often indicated as useful in describing and explaining the functioning of an individual in the context of various actions
pertaining to the issue of broadly construed security. TABP is defined as a behavioral indicator relating to persistent disposition towards a way in which an individual enters into relationship with the (physical and social) environment.
On the level of behavioral indicators, type A behavioral pattern is characterized by the following traits: (1) strong pressure towards achieving independently set, albeit not very clear goals; (2) a deep-seated tendency towards intensive rivalry; (3) constant pursuit of successes and of the reaffirmation of one's worth; (4) constant involvement in multiple and varied projects, usually featuring deadlines; (5) habitual inclination to increasing the pace of performing multiple physical and intellectual actions; (6) exceptional physical and mental vigilance. One of the more common methods of examining Type A behavioral pattern is the Jenkins Activity Survey (JAS). JAS was also used in this study. While establishing his method with the use of factor analysis, Jenkins distinguished three dimensions of Type A behavioral pattern:
(1) H-D - hard-driving: competitiveness, involvement, conscientiousness, tendency towards rivalry;
(2) S-I - speed, impatience: dynamic behavior, way of speaking, irritability, impatience;
(3) J-I - job involvement.
The questionnaire includes a scale of TABP, which consists of questions that best diagnose this behavioral indicator, and a TABP subscale comprising the three aforementioned factors, selected in view of the results of a factor analysis. The established Type A characteristics suit the stereotypical image of an individual in the role of a leader, commander, manager, etc., a person demonstrating involvement, intensity of the effort and the psychological and somatic cost of the emotional and physical strain. Note: This aspect of the subject's functioning is usually interpreted as a nonadjustable meaning of Type A behavioral pattern. 3. In their interpretation, the authors examine the consequences of particular behavioral patterns for the effects of the individual's actions, the course of said individual's social interactions, and the way the individual functions in the cultural area. The methodology demands the distinction between the explicit and implicit values, and the attitudes they determine. This methodological approach implies differences between the experienced values and attitudes. Due to social and cultural determinants of an individual's behavior in the context of danger and a controlled level of security, it is expedient to conduct research in an international environment.
3.2 The participants. The study was conducted on the students of the School of Higher Education in Public and Individual Security "Apeiron" in Cracow during a training assembly
for sports and martial arts in May 2011. Subject taught there include, among others, judo, karate, kickboxing and jujutsu, treating in an extended way the axiological elements and other aspects of the theory of martial arts. The experimental group of 64 included 27 women and 37 men. It was a group study, with participants filling out the JAS form which is used to measure Type A behavioral pattern. The results were supplemented by demographic data. 4. The objective of the study and the research question. In the course of the study, we emphasized the behavioral determinants included in TABP, which in fact means analyzing the behavioral syndrome that is the individual's stable, preferred way of interacting with the physical and social world [2]. Thus defined research objective gave rise to the research question. The authors wanted to establish how Type A behavioral pattern influenced the way the individual functioned in contexts connected to safety/danger.
It was assumed that the conducted study would display the adjustable or nonadjustable influence of Type A behavioral patterns, due to the significant role that features of intensity of behavior play in that mode
4.1 Hypothesis. We tested the hypothesis that individuals who undertook studies in the field of theory and practice of security, and who were intensively trained, among others, in hand-to-hand combat, would not display behaviors comprised by the Type A behavioral pattern. The assumption was also rooted in the need to scientifically verify the stereotype of an officer of the uniformed forces that is common in social consciousness. It is expected of the discussed groups of people to act intensively (dynamic behavior, irritability, impulsiveness), actively and with a significant level of involvement (rivalry) and responsibly (job involvement). (vide opinions of Master Yamaga Soko).
During our research, we found that there was the need for constructing an integrated model of how the subject functioned in the professional role of an officer, who, among others, receives training in close combat, counteracts threats, guarantees security and makes it possible for citizens to realize their need for safety. In the model we put forward we assumed the great significance of values and attitudes that constitute important regulators of human behavior and influence the quality of life, which is a relevant aspect of security culture [6, 7].
In our study, we posed a question of the meaning of different variables for the functioning of an individual operating in the area of public and personal order and security. An overview of the subject matter indicates there are certain stereotypes relating to persons in the line of work dealing with protection, attributing them with behavioral features connected to intensity. We formed hypotheses about the decline of this trend of perceiving the behavior of officers and about the changing social expectations from the members of uniformed
services. It was assumed that the results pertaining to the presence of TABP would more likely indicate Type B behavioral patterns which are construed as traits that are, to a point, opposite to TABP. Additionally it was also stipulated that the results obtained via the JAS form might be modified in relation to demographic variables. In accordance with the classic interpretation of the meaning of sex in building Type A behavioral patterns we anticipated differences in that regard in the experimental group.
5. The results and discussion
5.1 For the whole group of students, the results of the JAS form are characterized by negative values and in all variables: the dynamics of behavior and impatience, job involvement, Type A behavioral pattern, involvement and rivalry.
5.2 With women, the results of the JAS form are also characterized by negative values in all variables included in the questionnaire, which is similar to the group as a whole.
5.3 Men's results, analogous to the results obtained by women, received negative values in all scales of the JAS questionnaire as well.
5.4 In Jenkins's method (JAS) Type A behavior is identified in cases of positive results. The aforementioned negative results confirm the assumed hypothesis about doubts pertaining to the presence of Type A behavior in the experimental group comprising students of martial arts and combat sports.
5.5 In the course of the study, we also constructed a model of regression with the dependent variable of Type A behavioral pattern, on the basis of three subscales of JAS: speed and impatience (S-I), job involvement (J-I), involvement and rivalry (H-D). In the adopted model we demonstrated a correlation between the (S-I) and (H-D) subscales. In the former instance we obtained the value of t=5.34 at p<0.00001; in the latter t=4.09 at p<0.0001. For the (J-I) subscale we detected no correlation. The analysis confirms the appropriateness of the method, for which the indicated scales define the explained variable - Type A behavioral pattern - to a large extent. The results of the (H-D) subscale were statistically analyzed and tested for difference using ANOVA in relation to sex, habitual residence and social background. For sex, the result was F(2.61)=1.33, p=0.27, which indicates a lack of difference relating to sex. When analyzing the significance of habitual residence, we obtained the result: F(2.59)=0.59, p=0.55, which also indicates a lack of difference pertaining to this variable. The analysis of
the influence of social background yielded the following: F(4,59)=0,21, p=0,92, which, as in other cases, did not alter the results in the subscales of engagements and rivalry.
5.6 The results confirm the hypothesis of the lack of Type A behavioral patterns in the experimental group of martial arts learners, students of the Internal security specialization. In accordance with the notions adopted during the conceptualization of research problems, the stereotype attributing Type A behavioral patterns and personalities to martial arts students was not confirmed. This is connected to the ongoing changes in social consciousness in that regard and to the transforming expectations from those performing the discussed professional roles. Moreover, this situation is influenced by the widespread combat sports, which, in physical culture circles is associated with the notion of the noble way of the warrior and the psychological conception of the liberated mind, which has a Buddhist origin.
6. Conclusions and summary
6.1 The issue of methods of examining individual personalities in the context of their traits and characteristics is of great theoretical and practical importance, both in terms of physical and safety culture. The need for analyses of desired personality and behavioral traits is also substantiated by the study of professional roles of uniformed forces officers. These are individuals who often act in circumstances where safety is threatened, therefore certain characteristics are viewed as useful and well-adjusted to the professional roles they play.
6.2 In the course of the research, it was initially assumed a socially and culturally determined stereotype, close to TABP and consistent with social expectations pertaining to the behavior and characteristics of members of uniformed forces, functioned in relation to the group of professionals dealing with security, comprised of martial arts students. The final results of the study allow to form a conclusion about the lack of corroboration of this stereotype in the experimental group. Individuals undertaking training programs toward a profession connected to ensuring security, which are interlaced with a holistic martial arts training [1], do not fall into the stereotypical TABP of a person who acts in an intensive manner, exhibits aggressive behavior, is impatient and overly competitive.
6.3 There are grounds to pose, during scientific analysis, important questions of adjustable vs. nonadjustable aspects of TABP. This is connected to the stereotypes and prejudices against the members of this profession [4].
6.4 Our interpretation also includes the issue of the meaning of the problems of values in the analysis of an individual's behavior. Exhibiting certain values (both implicit and explicit) connected to the questions of the meaning of life, health, subjectivity, openness, responsibility, honesty and honor, constitutes important apparatus that intensely modifies the individual's behavior in threatening situations. This interpretation led to the conclusion that there was a need for undertaking research of the discussed professional contexts. Such research should relate to explicit and implicit values as well as attitudes. This is connected to viewing values as relevant factors in regulating the behavior of an individual in challenging circumstances.
6.5 The following conclusions from the study lead to the assessment of the actions undertaken during a martial arts training, touching on the problems of values. Accentuating the mental aspects of how a student of martial arts functions is a natural way of perceiving the way of the warrior. Let us cite the opinion of a judo master, Jazarin states: "Those who believe [combat sports] to be solely sports, and might and victory to be their only objective, are mistaken. The true victory is our liberation: total flexibility of spirit that directs an absolutely obedient body."
6.6 In the conducted research we indicated the cultural determinants for acquiring and developing TABP. There is a need in Europe to conduct international research programs aimed at verifying the rank of this group of factors in developing an individual's traits. TABP was constructed in the USA where, for a time, it was considered a normative conviction that stimulated the need to function in this way. The indicated issues will also be important elements of the model of how an individual functions in a situation where safety is threatened - be it a martial arts student, or an officer of uniformed services trained for close combat.
References
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Abstract: The paper entitled Personality and behavioral determinants of an individual's behavior in a situation of danger by W. Czajkowski of Pedagogical University, Cracow, J. Piwowarski of School of Higher Education is Public and Individual Security "Apeiron", Cracow, D. Ambroi'y of University School of Physical Education, Cracow, J. Matis of Armed Forces Academy of General Stefanik, Liptovsky Mikulas, and B. Solicski of AGH University of Science and Technology, Cracow, presents the study conducted in May 2011 on students of martial arts training to perform professional roles pertaining to security. The purpose of the study was the examination of determinants relevant to an individual's behavior in a situation of threat. The authors tested the hypothesis that subjects would not display the elements associated with Type A Behavioral pattern (TABP). In order to establish that, they used the JAS questionnaire. Furthermore, they wanted to verify the stereotype attributing traits connected to TABP to members of professions relating to security. The results of the study indicated that a) subjects did not manifest the characteristics associated with TABP, and b) the stereotype in question was not confirmed in the experimental group.
Key words: martial arts; Type A behavioral pattern; JAS questionnaire; security; safety culture
