In this paper, we report the results from an empirical study that used a college students sample (n=304, Mean=19.49, SD=2.11; 206 females, 98 males) and investigated the relationship among rigidity variables, acceptance of uncertainty (tolerance/intolerance for uncertainty, risk readiness), rationality and reflexivity, intelligence (analytical and practical), and creativity. We used the following measures: The New Tolerance for Uncertainty Questionnaire, Personality Factors of Decision Making, Tomsk Rigidity Questionnaire, Reflexivity-27 Questionnaire, and the ROADS battery. We tested a set of hypotheses regarding the positive relationships between rigidity and a set of variables that included rationality, reflexivity, and intolerance for uncertainty, regarding the relationships between creativity and tolerance for uncertainty, risk readiness, and rigidity, as well as regarding the relationships between personality variables and academic achievement (GPA). We found that verbal creativity was positively related to reflexivity and negatively — with attitudinal rigidity. Crystallized intelligence was positively related to both academic achievement and creativity. Fluid intelligence was negatively related to rationality, and although both intelligence measures were positively inter-correlated, fluid intelligence was not related to creativity. We also showed that creativity is a positive predictor of achievement, whereas premorbid rigidity is a negative one; tolerance for uncertainty, creativity, and rationality were not related to achievement. However, reflexivity was related to creativity measured with the “Creative Stories” task: higher creativity was related to higher personality reflexivity and low attitudinal rigidity. Intolerance for uncertainty and risk readiness, on the other hand, are negatively related to achievement in college students.

Th is article discusses the fundamental principles of qualitative research: contextual sensitivity, understanding, interpretative reconstruction and refl exivity. Th e principle of contextual sensitivity focuses on qualitative research study of the phenomenon in its socio-cultural and dialogical setting, and the principle of understanding — the study of subjective values and meaning in the positions of the various groups. Th e principles of interpretation of refl exivity give an answer to the question about the methodological tool for qualitative research — how to connect data and formulated analytical synthesis, validity assessment which involves tracking and monitoring impact of refl exive attitudes of the researcher. Th ese principles are formulated on the basis of theoretical analysis and practical experience with qualitative methods and prove the relevancy of combining them into a single methodological approach that is implemented in various directions and strategies of qualitative data analysis. Th e authors emphasize conceptual unity of qualitative research and the underlying common methodology.

This article discusses the effectiveness of using art therapeutic methods for facilitation of creative activity of older people as a condition of constructive development during late adulthood. Taking into consideration advantages and features of art therapy in gerontopsyhological practice art therapy program was developed. We hypothesized that inherent in the program, gradual complication and enriching of art therapy sessions should lead to creativity and the progressive development of the individual participants of these studies. 80 respondents aged 57—80 years took part in the study. Analysis of the results showed that the use of art therapy techniques noted actualization of new positive personal sense of life and activity, the harmonization of psychophysical wellbeing, improve self-image, and create conditions for the actualization of life experience.