Мечта и жизненный выбор: экспериментальное исследование

Психологические исследования: электронный научный журнал. 2021. Т. 14. № 75. Статья 2.

Егорова П. А., Osin E. N., Кедрова Н. Б.

In this study we examined the role of daydreams and daydreaming in decision-making process. The paper
describes our results on the influence of daydreams and daydreaming on the emotional attitude towards life
choices as well as on the search of a solution during decision making. The study involved 199 people aged 18
to 64 (164 females and 35 males). The study participants were asked to describe a recent situation of choice
and evaluate it by a number of parameters. Subsequently, the participants were divided in two groups: the first
one was asked to daydream whereas the second one – to recall the content of the day. Eventually the participants evaluated their experience and degree of involvement during the trial. In addition, they evaluated the
situation of choice again. The "Subjective quality of choice” questionnaire by Leontiev D.A. and a few specially designed questionnaires were used to examine the influence of daydreaming on decision-making process. Daydreaming was found to reduce the emotional attitude towards the situation of choice and the experience of the significance of choice. The influence of daydreams on finding a solution in decision making process
was not detected. Our results allowed for an assumption regarding the mechanisms of daydreams and daydreaming effect on decision making. Particularly, daydreaming is thought to actualize and clarify personal
motives and meanings important to a person. This, in turn, allows one to place the situation in a wider context. 

Keywords: мечта, мечтание

Publication based on the results of: Personality predictors of coping with difficult life situations (2021)