Controlled Future as a Factor of Human Behavior Intentionality

Abstract

This theoretical and empirical study verifies the hypothesis that the desire to control one’s own future is a significant behavioral factor. A controlled future is a phenomenon at the intersection of internality and emotional response. The relationship between the level of internality and emotional response was analyzed at two levels. The first level featured stable personality traits. They were identified using standard personality questionnaires, namely the Standard Personality Traits Questionnaire modified by E. G. Ksenofontov and C. Izard’s Differential Emotions Scale adapted by A. V. Leonov and M. S. Kapitsa. The second level featured situational personal traits manifested in particular situations as a general state of emotional comfort or discomfort. The authors developed a questionnaire that included six types of situations, each of which had three response options. The first option presupposed a passive (external) position, i.e., waiting for help from others. The second option described an active (internal) position. The third option was intermediate (50/50). Each behavioral option required an assessment of emotional comfort. At the level of subjective-personal traits, the general level of personal internality determined the readiness for action and overcoming difficulties, often associated with negative emotional experiences. A lower readiness for action and transformation triggered stronger negative emotions. The level of situational behavior demonstrated a similar trend: a lower control over the situation was associated with a greater emotional discomfort. However, the relationship between control and emotional comfort was not linear. The level of emotional discomfort increased following the rise in the control level.