Psychology of scientific cognition – minds and problems

In the theory of scientific cognition most neglected side are individual differences in cognitive preferences and mind types. Specifically this differences can be described on the basis of Jung’s theory of two basic pairs the functions of consciousness (sensing versus intuition; thinking versus feeling). In the context of this theory the consciousness isn’t a kind of neutral operator  in functioning of human mind. This simple and complete typology create the four mind types with characteristic tendency to discovering, defining and solving the definite scientific problems. In the article each type is described in the terms of specific cognitive preferences and aversions. The general line of argumentation is that interaction between problem space (in the objective meaning) and mind type are important for more complete and psychologically valid description of scientific cognition

How the mind is ageing?

The process of cognitive aging in global sense can be characterised by changes of the fluid and crystallised intelligence. In the context of this explanation the basic question is which cognitive functions and regulatory mechanisms play the basic role of the determinants for cognitive aging. Probable, mechanism of associative memory play a central role in top-down direction of cognitive processing. This type of memory connect the resources/networks of long term memory with the current processing in working memory. Another set of mechanisms concerns with bottom-up direction based on procedural memory, which is fundamental for the functioning of the mind as whole (Tulving theory,1985). Unfortunately, our knowledge about associative memory and its relations to working and procedural memory is incomplete and unclear. The importance of associative memory are partly, empirically supported by classic research on decreasing the cognitive components of intelligence aging, since the fluid and crystallized intelligence where discovered (Horn, Cattell, 1967). Changes of the mind functioning and its cognitive growth/aging can be characterised as a complex chain from primary, biologically determined mind, through Piagetian and Vygotsky’s type of mind to relatively balanced mind

Innovator behavior questionnaire as an expert selecting for technical innovation risk assessment

PURPOSE: The objective of this paper is to explore the basic assumptions formerly applied for the development of the innovator behavior questionnaire, and thus to describe the necessary characteristics to be considered when an expert is selected for the purposes of assessing the risk of innovation.DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The assessment of the risk of technical innovations involves the need to take into account psychological, technical as well as economic criteria. Such wide range of analysis means that the selection of the staff dealing with the development, implementation and subsequent evaluation of innovations needs to be based on a multicriteria approach.FINDINGS: The questionnaire adopted five categories of questions, the formation of the mind and personality, expectations, approach to accidental events that beyond expert’s control, knowledge and skills, and commitment. The study was conducted in two areas of representation, in everyday life and professional life. These areas relate to three personality characteristics, locus of control, motivation and stimulation of the decision-maker. In addition, the paper explores areas related to the characteristics of these three basic personality characteristics of the expert.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: As a result of the application of the newly developed tool, which can be used not only in the process of creating an expert team in the company but also in the process of recruiting people to deal with innovation, there is a chance that the risk of failure of innovative solutions can be significantly reduced and the costs associated with the process of implementing and modifying innovations can be limited. Following a broader research in the expert community and a factor analysis the structure of factors characterizing the temperament, mind and personality traits of the expert will be determined and interpreted.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The expert selection method presented in the article forms a new solution that derives its basis in both risk theory and innovation assessment, as well as takes into account psychometric standards.Research financed by National Science Centre, Poland, MINIATURA 4, 2020/04/X/HS4/00632.peer-reviewe

RAT-PL – constructinon and validation the Polish version of the Remote Associates Test

This article presents the process of constructing and validating the Polish version of the Remote Associates Test (RAT-PL). The test consists of 17 items of three words that are remotely associated with the solution (fourth word). This test has high reliability and moderate difficulty. As expected, the results of RAT-PL were positively associa- ted with intelligence, questionnaire measures of intuitive processing as well as with openness to ideas and values. However, when controlling for intelligence and intuition in the regression analysis, relationships with openness were not statistically significant. The RAT-PL can be a valuable tool for Polish researchers who study intuition, insight and creativit