Date of Award
3-5-1994
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Psychology
Abstract
Sense of Coherence (SOC) is a personality characteristic which has been linked to mental and physical health. However, the factors that contribute to this link are, as yet, unclear. Our understanding of the link between personality and health may be improved by examining how personality characteristics manifest in specific circumstances (i.e., how they affect perceptions and judgments). The knowledge gained through the depressive realism research (which has looked at personality differences by examining their effect on perceptions and judgments in specific, controlled circumstances) was applied to SOC theory in an attempt to further clarify how SOC may influence our judgments. In this study, it was hypothesized that: (a) those with a stronger SOC would optimistically distort their own abilities (i.e., perceiving more personal control; overestimating probability of success), while those with a weaker SOC would accurately perceive their own abilities; (b) individuals with a weaker SOC would exhibit a bias when judging others abilities (i.e., viewing others as having more control and as more likely to succeed), while those with a stronger SOC would view others abilities in an unbiased way.Undergraduates at the University of North Dakota (N = 195) participated in three tasks aimed at measuring perceived control and predictions of future success. Regression analyses (SPSSX) using SOC as the predictor variable revealed that SOC did not account for a significant amount of variance in any of the outcome measures. It is suggested by the author that SOC is not a global viewpoint as is theorized by Antonovsky, but rather is a resource which is "activated" by stressful, personally relevant, or ambiguous situations. If true, the tasks used in this study were probably not sufficient to "activate" an individual's SOC, which would explain why no differences were found among persons with varying levels of SOC. In addition, it is proposed that although an individual's perception of control and prediction of success may be influenced by SOC, it is perceptions related to control over and success of coping resources, rather than perceptions related to outcome, that may be more relevant to the SOC construct.
Recommended Citation
Hexum, Cheri L., "Sense of coherence and perception: Does stress resistance equal illusion?" (1994). Theses and Dissertations. 8765.
https://commons.und.edu/theses/8765