PRELUDIUM Grant awarded to Paweł Strojny from the National Centre for Science (2012-2015).
In cooperation with: Malgorzata Kossowska (UJ) & Agnieszka Strojny (UJ).
The project aims to clarify the cognitive-motivational mechanism for epistemic goals. The process of epistemic goals can take different forms depending on the characteristics of individual and situational variables. It can be simplified, effortless and heuristic-based, but on the other hand may take a systematic, comprehensive and cognitively effortful form. The research project is focused on the role and nature of perceived efficacy at fulfilling the need for cognitive closure. To complete the model of epistemic process we need to find answers to several questions. The result of the project will be the answer to these questions: What is the source and the factors influencing the level of this variable? Is situational influence on efficacy at fulfilling the need for closure possible? What is the relationship between perceived ability and objective abilities?
The hypothesis says that perceived efficacy is based on metacognitive self-reflection on effectiveness. We also expect that an important source of this feature are cognitive abilities. Probably the mechanism of formation of perceived efficacy at fulfilling epistemic goals is similar to the formation of self-efficacy. We also assume that it is possible to influence the level of efficacy at fulfilling the need for closure and thus influence the epistemic process.
Project results will allow the development of civilization in many areas related to the formation of knowledge. The most important are: education (modification of the ineffective strategy of forming knowledge), decision making (optimization of the decision making process), and intergroup relations (reduction of stereotypes).