THE CHOICE OF POSSIBLE SELF BY YOUNG PEOPLE WITH DIFFERENT PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

Abstract

The article deals with the construct of a possible self as a subjective space of personality self-change, the nature of which is determined by personal characteristics. The author's modification of the K. Hooker’s questionnaire for the study of possible self is used, which additionally includes an assessment of the probability for realizing these possible selves with the help of personal’s own efforts and through changes in the outside world that cannot be controlled. The variety of topics of possible selves is determined, they are proposed by the respondent as areas of possible changes in oneself, while the boundaries of personality change. It has been suggested that there are differences in the personality characteristics of those who put forward a large number of possible selves, desired and avoided, and those who focus on a small number of them. The sample consisted of 152 medical students of 1–3 years of training, including 29 male and 124 female with the average age of 19.15 ± 0.97 years old. The results showed that persons with a large number of desired possible selves are more likely to see the role of their own activity in the realization of a possible self, and those who put forward a large number of avoidable possible selves are characterized by less social mediation of behavior, introversion, isolation and rigidity; they see a significant role of their own aggressiveness in achieving what they want.